Boozman of Arkansas: We Need An Up-or-Down Vote on the American Energy Act

First posted on 09-10-2008

After a five-week vacation, Congress has 14 working days left to pass a comprehensive energy plan that provides relief to Arkansans suffering from the high cost of fuel.

I reaffirmed my commitment for H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act, by signing a pledge from the grassroots organization, Making Congress Accountable. This group is persuading my colleagues to work together to pass this important piece of legislation with NO earmarks by the November elections.

The American Energy Act is an “all-of-the-above” approach for more conservation, more clean renewable and alternative fuels, and more production of American-made energy in environmentally sound ways.

A recent Quinnipiac survey shows Americans support the “all-of-the-above” energy solutions by nearly a 2-1 margin. The poll, which survey 1,547 likely voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points finds:

* 62 – 32 percent in favor of offshore drilling;
* 56 – 35 percent in favor of building new nuclear plants;
* 51 – 42 percent back drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge;
* 87 – 10 percent back government funds for renewable energy such as wind and solar power.

Despite a commonsense energy bill that the American public overwhelming supports, House majority leaders aren’t happy and are proposing their own energy legislation that isn’t as comprehensive. The reality is the American Energy Act is meaningful legislation that allows us access to all kinds of our own energy. This is what the American people want and it’s something that merits an up-or-down vote on the House floor.

Photo: Off-shore drilling rig