AMERICA'S ENERGY PROBLEM: WE NEED A BIPARTISAN SOLUTION AND WE NEED IT SOON

Three years ago, a bipartisan group of Senators known as "The Gang of 14" joined together to break a months-long logjam in the Senate over judicial nominations. Our group of seven Republicans and seven Democrats also helped the Senate to bridge a partisan divide that threatened to end in a dramatic showdown leaving both sides furious and frustrated.

That debate over judges consumed the Senate and Washington, but many Nebraskans told me they were more concerned with Congress passing meaningful energy legislation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. With today’s soaring gas prices Nebraskans and all Americans are even more concerned about our energy supply. And yet, the Senate has been stuck in partisan gridlock.

We Need a New Commitment to Teamwork
It is time to revive the bipartisan spirit of the Gang of 14 and apply it to a problem affecting all Americans—energy prices and policies. Sometimes a bipartisan group can put aside the partisan struggles in Washington and come together on common sense policies, then push them through a reluctant Congress. Such a group can be the spark starting a fire that gets things accomplished.

An Energy Summit Can Find Answers
We need to find solutions to the growing energy crisis and we need them now. That's why I recently signed a letter with five Republicans and four other Democrats that we sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., calling on them to convene an energy summit as soon as we get back from recess. Along with Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, one of my Gang of 14 partners, I sent another letter to the two leaders urging them to work with the House and the President on a leadership summit to find consensus on what Congress can pass now to help at the gas pump.

We are committed to working together on legislation that reduces the cost of energy, increases renewable and non-renewable energy supplies and promotes the nation’s energy security.

An energy summit could hear from independent experts about short-term and long-term proposals to ease our energy problems. One thing I'd like to know is how we can shorten the time it takes the government to approve new energy projects. For example, why does it take almost twice as long to approve a new nuclear energy plant as it does to build one?

I also support increased offshore oil drilling, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, where existing infrastructure could deliver oil into the marketplace relatively soon. At today's gas prices, we may be able to revitalize drilling in western Nebraska. The state’s growing ethanol industry is helping curb our need for foreign oil today, while development of cellulosic ethanol production can expand renewable fuels tomorrow.

Further, I'd like to explore limiting speculation in the oil industry by traders only interesting in driving up prices, not in buying and selling a commodity.

Naysayers Should Not Stop Us
Many may note that even if we take bipartisan action today it will be years before we can pump new oil, develop new gas, see conservation gains or create new biofuels. But that is not an excuse for doing nothing. If you want to cut asparagus in your garden today, you had to plant it two years ago. We need to plant changes today for a harvest tomorrow, or two years from tomorrow.

Along with an energy summit, I also am pushing for a National Commission on Energy Policy and Global Climate Change. The group of non-partisan experts would have broader responsibilities to assist Congress in developing a comprehensive national energy policy to lead us to increased energy independence and long-term energy security.

America always pulls together to respond to major crises. It's time for us in Congress to pull together and distance ourselves from the partisan atmosphere that often gums up Washington. America's families who are struggling as they fill their gas tanks or pay their energy bills expect and deserve no less.

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	Column	June 30, 2008
AMERICA'S ENERGY PROBLEM: WE NEED A BIPARTISAN SOLUTION AND WE NEED IT SOON Three years ago, a bipartisan group of Senators known as "The Gang of 14" joined together to break a months-long logjam in the Senate over judicial nominations. Our group of seven Republicans and seven Democrats also helped the Senate to bridge a partisan divide that threatened to end in a dramatic showdown leaving both sides furious and frustrated. That debate over judges consumed the Senate and Washington, but many Nebraskans told me they were more concerned with Congress passing meaningful energy legislation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. With today’s soaring gas prices Nebraskans and all Americans are even more concerned about our energy supply. And yet, the Senate has been stuck in partisan gridlock. We Need a New Commitment to Teamwork It is time to revive the bipartisan spirit of the Gang of 14 and apply it to a problem affecting all Americans—energy prices and policies. Sometimes a bipartisan group can put aside the partisan struggles in Washington and come together on common sense policies, then push them through a reluctant Congress. Such a group can be the spark starting a fire that gets things accomplished. An Energy Summit Can Find Answers We need to find solutions to the growing energy crisis and we need them now. That's why I recently signed a letter with five Republicans and four other Democrats that we sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., calling on them to convene an energy summit as soon as we get back from recess. Along with Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, one of my Gang of 14 partners, I sent another letter to the two leaders urging them to work with the House and the President on a leadership summit to find consensus on what Congress can pass now to help at the gas pump. We are committed to working together on legislation that reduces the cost of energy, increases renewable and non-renewable energy supplies and promotes the nation’s energy security. An energy summit could hear from independent experts about short-term and long-term proposals to ease our energy problems. One thing I'd like to know is how we can shorten the time it takes the government to approve new energy projects. For example, why does it take almost twice as long to approve a new nuclear energy plant as it does to build one? I also support increased offshore oil drilling, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, where existing infrastructure could deliver oil into the marketplace relatively soon. At today's gas prices, we may be able to revitalize drilling in western Nebraska. The state’s growing ethanol industry is helping curb our need for foreign oil today, while development of cellulosic ethanol production can expand renewable fuels tomorrow. Further, I'd like to explore limiting speculation in the oil industry by traders only interesting in driving up prices, not in buying and selling a commodity. Naysayers Should Not Stop Us Many may note that even if we take bipartisan action today it will be years before we can pump new oil, develop new gas, see conservation gains or create new biofuels. But that is not an excuse for doing nothing. If you want to cut asparagus in your garden today, you had to plant it two years ago. We need to plant changes today for a harvest tomorrow, or two years from tomorrow. Along with an energy summit, I also am pushing for a National Commission on Energy Policy and Global Climate Change. The group of non-partisan experts would have broader responsibilities to assist Congress in developing a comprehensive national energy policy to lead us to increased energy independence and long-term energy security. America always pulls together to respond to major crises. It's time for us in Congress to pull together and distance ourselves from the partisan atmosphere that often gums up Washington. America's families who are struggling as they fill their gas tanks or pay their energy bills expect and deserve no less. ###