It seems that each day we hear reports on how our dependence on fossil fuels and natural gas threatens our individual health as well as the health of our communities and the planet. As most Americans expect this Memorial Day weekend to pay over $4 per gallon just to fill up their cars, what President Bush has called our addiction to oil is now hijacking our economy and leaving vulnerable both household budgets and the overall economy. At the same time, 90 percent of Americans think that the economy is on the wrong track, and worry about outsourcing and offshoring of jobs.
Sounds like a vicious spiral. But it needn’t be.
There is a solution to our energy and economic crisis that allows consumers, the environment and the economy all to win. We can invest in renewable energy sources here at home, and create quality green jobs for an economy based on clean energy. Americans win as they access alternative energy sources that cost less – and do not contribute to climate change. The environment wins as carbon emissions are reduced. And the economy wins as quality new jobs are created that support domestic clean energy production. Whether it’s wind farms or solar panels, there are alternatives that will create a new energy economy that works for Americans. And we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil by encouraging efficiency through efficiency standards.
It’s time to stop the price inflation that’s hurting household budgets as the price of gas soars (as are the prices of other goods as transportation and shipping costs increase). We have a stark choice: we can continue to send petro-dollars overseas, or we can start spending eco-dollars on energy here at home.
That’s why, as a first step, we are have the goal of getting the Consumer First Energy Act passed by the U.S. Senate by the end of next week. The bill will provide energy price relief and hold oil companies and other entities accountable for their actions with regard to high energy prices.
The Senate is supposed to be spending floor time on this bill this week. Keep coming back to the Progressive Future website to learn how we can work together to get this bill passed by the Congress.
- Hugh
