Railroad Commissioner calls for commitment to energy security
DALLAS March 10 2009 - Texas Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones today called on Washington to embrace energy security and strengthen the nations domestic energy sector saying recent actions by the Obama administration and some members of Congress - including closing off access to domestic drilling opportunities - are moving the country in the wrong direction.
The goals of an effective national energy policy should be three-fold: ensuring our strategic position on the world stage bolstering our economy with a reliable source of energy and maximizing the potential for creating good jobs right here at home said Commissioner Jones speaking before the Texas Energy Councils 21st Annual Energy Symposium. But Washington is doing none of that.
Commissioner Jones pointed to the Obama administrations recent move to delay drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf and the U.S. Senates vote to limit drilling on federal land.
At a time when people are out of work the right approach is to do all that we can to embrace rules and policies that allow us to responsibly develop our resources which would create good jobs and provide revenue for our states Commissioner Jones said.
Instead the Obama administration and some members of Congress are taking the wrong approach not only for job growth but also for lasting energy security. Beyond the national security implications of relying on foreign often hostile nations for our countrys energy needs we are gambling with our nations economic growth and prosperity.
Mr. President Could You Explain That One More Time?
