Energy's Silver Bullets

While there is not a single silver bullet that will solve America's energy problems, there are many silver bullets that, when combined, will significantly reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy and help us achieve energy security.

Last week I was able to visit with Nebraskans in 8 communities where they are doing some exciting things on the road to energy independence.

The Ethanol Silver Bullet
Several stops involved ethanol. Nebraska now has 44 E-85 pumps and 60,000 vehicles capable of using this blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petroleum, but more are needed.

The production of ethanol is also advancing. For example, Siouxland Ethanol in Jackson supplements the power needed to run its plant by using methane gas produced from a landfill.

The Wind Silver Bullet
Near Ainsworth, NPPD is generating enough electricity through 36 giant wind turbines to provide power to 19,000 homes a year.

The Boiler Silver Bullet
Chadron State College is able to heat and cool its campus by firing the boiler in its central steam heating plant with wood chips saving an estimated $150,000 a year in energy costs. And, it’s non-polluting!

The Switchgrass Silver Bullet
Near Mead, researchers showed me a field of switchgrass that was 6 feet tall. Switchgrass can be the feedstock for the next generation of bio fuels that will further replace our consumption of foreign oil. Plus, you don’t have to plant it every year and it requires less fertilizer and water.

The Nebraska Oil Silver Bullet
Oil is not a renewable source of energy but increasing its supply quickly will help reduce costs for consumers. We not only need to do more drilling offshore, we need to drill on shore like they're doing near Trenton. Nebraska oil fields are pumping almost 6,400 barrels of crude per day helping to increase supply and reduce costs.

Nebraskans I talked with are rightfully proud of the role we are playing in helping solve the energy problem but they are concerned about Washington's inaction to help and encourage progress on this issue. They were frustrated with the partisan gridlock in Congress.

Nebraskans from one end of the state to the other welcomed a realistic and bipartisan energy plan that the Gang of 10 has put together. This group I helped form along with 4 other moderate Democrats and 5 moderate Republicans understands that in order to get enough votes, both sides must give and take so Congress can work together and develop a comprehensive energy plan.

A New Era for America
The New Energy Reform Act of 2008, or New ERA, is a balanced approach. It provides for more production on and off shore while ramping up development of alternative and renewable sources of energy for the future. It emphasizes conservation and harnesses American know-how to create super-efficient vehicles as it transitions us from the old energy economy to the new energy economy.

My hope is that when Congress reconvenes in September, my colleagues will have heard from their constituents the same things I am hearing from Nebraskans. During my statewide energy tour, people I talked with liked this plan. They also understand that it has the best chance of breaking the partisan gridlock so we can move forward and solve the energy problem.

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	Column	August 18, 2008
Energy's Silver Bullets While there is not a single silver bullet that will solve America's energy problems, there are many silver bullets that, when combined, will significantly reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy and help us achieve energy security. Last week I was able to visit with Nebraskans in 8 communities where they are doing some exciting things on the road to energy independence. The Ethanol Silver Bullet Several stops involved ethanol. Nebraska now has 44 E-85 pumps and 60,000 vehicles capable of using this blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petroleum, but more are needed. The production of ethanol is also advancing. For example, Siouxland Ethanol in Jackson supplements the power needed to run its plant by using methane gas produced from a landfill. The Wind Silver Bullet Near Ainsworth, NPPD is generating enough electricity through 36 giant wind turbines to provide power to 19,000 homes a year. The Boiler Silver Bullet Chadron State College is able to heat and cool its campus by firing the boiler in its central steam heating plant with wood chips saving an estimated $150,000 a year in energy costs. And, it’s non-polluting! The Switchgrass Silver Bullet Near Mead, researchers showed me a field of switchgrass that was 6 feet tall. Switchgrass can be the feedstock for the next generation of bio fuels that will further replace our consumption of foreign oil. Plus, you don’t have to plant it every year and it requires less fertilizer and water. The Nebraska Oil Silver Bullet Oil is not a renewable source of energy but increasing its supply quickly will help reduce costs for consumers. We not only need to do more drilling offshore, we need to drill on shore like they're doing near Trenton. Nebraska oil fields are pumping almost 6,400 barrels of crude per day helping to increase supply and reduce costs. Nebraskans I talked with are rightfully proud of the role we are playing in helping solve the energy problem but they are concerned about Washington's inaction to help and encourage progress on this issue. They were frustrated with the partisan gridlock in Congress. Nebraskans from one end of the state to the other welcomed a realistic and bipartisan energy plan that the Gang of 10 has put together. This group I helped form along with 4 other moderate Democrats and 5 moderate Republicans understands that in order to get enough votes, both sides must give and take so Congress can work together and develop a comprehensive energy plan. A New Era for America The New Energy Reform Act of 2008, or New ERA, is a balanced approach. It provides for more production on and off shore while ramping up development of alternative and renewable sources of energy for the future. It emphasizes conservation and harnesses American know-how to create super-efficient vehicles as it transitions us from the old energy economy to the new energy economy. My hope is that when Congress reconvenes in September, my colleagues will have heard from their constituents the same things I am hearing from Nebraskans. During my statewide energy tour, people I talked with liked this plan. They also understand that it has the best chance of breaking the partisan gridlock so we can move forward and solve the energy problem. ###