Energy costs have increasingly become a concern for consumers.  The devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 only amplified the concern for rising gas prices for the Gulf region, including Alabama.

As your representative in Congress, I continue to look for ways to ease the energy costs that we currently face at the pump, and in our home heating bills.  It is among the most pressing issues we face as a country.

• Decrease America's dependence on foreign oil:  It is my belief that the increase of domestic production and energy conservation is in our best economic and national security interest.  This is why we must continue to expand our use of alternative and renewable fuels.
  
  My support of the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007, which passed the House in January, was in part due to this legislation creation of a Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewables Reserve, which increases the research, development and accelerated use of clean renewable energy sources, energy efficient technologies and alternative fuels.  In the 109th Congress, I also supported the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which included incentives for the development of more efficient and cleaner alternative energy sources.  The Energy Policy Act of 2005 offered federal tax credits and rebates to consumers and businesses for the purchase of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles, and energy efficient products and appliances.
  
  I have also consistently supported legislation that opens the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for oil production.  It is my belief that this energy production can be increased with limited environmental disturbances.  Further, I will continue to support the American-Made Energy Freedom Act which would open ANWR to energy production while also directing some leasing and royalty revenues to fund alternative energy projects.
  
  
• Ease oil and gas costs:  I have supported legislation which I believe will relieve some of the pressure on energy prices throughout our economy by increasing our production of oil and natural gas.  I co-sponsored legislation which lifted a 25-year federal moratorium on most offshore exploration and development of oil and natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico, while designed to generate more offshore drilling revenues for Alabama and other Gulf Coast states.  This offshore drilling legislation was included in the Tax Relief and Health Care Act which became law in December 2006.
  
  
• Support for LIHEAP:  The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program assists low-income and elderly pay their heating and cooling bills.  I have been dedicated to seeing this federal program maintain adequate funding, especially as natural gas prices become a concern during the winter months.

2008 Energy Press Releases from Representative Bud Cramer:

Statement from Rep. Cramer on the Bellefonte Nuclear Facility
(January 22, 2008)

Related Energy Links:

Tennessee Valley Authority

U.S. Department of Energy