LETTERS: Solving energy crisis will take cooperation years ago
To the Editor:
The pages of this newspaper often display the sentiments of Kansans frustrated by the cost of energy, including the high cost of gasoline.
I support many proposals to address escalating prices, but these solutions are going nowhere until there is a collective will to do something about the energy crisis. The will does not currently exist because Republicans and Democrats are trying to posture themselves to deflect blame and capture political gains.
I disagree with my colleagues and believe Congress should be solution-minded, not partisan.
The energy challenge requires a diverse solution of developing all available energy resources. While the demand for energy has continued to increase over the years, there has been no significant change in our domestic supply.
We must lift federal bans on oil and natural gas exploration in Alaska and off our coasts to increase our domestic supply.
Expanded production of domestic oil and natural gas resources alone cannot solve this problem. The solution also must include initiatives to support renewable energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro-electric and nuclear power, as well as biofuels made in states like Kansas. Energy development also must be accompanied by energy conservation. We must encourage more efficient vehicles and construction of energy conserving buildings.
If we are to solve this nation's energy problem, Democrats and Republicans must work together to promote conservation, aggressively pursue forms of renewable energy, and develop domestic exploration and production of oil and natural gas.
Congressman Jerry Moran
