David Cappiello: Real Energy Solutions
Real Energy Solutions for Today and Tomorrow - Sen. David Cappiello
America is facing an energy crisis the likes of which we have never seen. The pain families are feeling is unbearable each time they fill up their car, heat their homes, or even just turn on the lights. The strain energy costs are placing on employers threatens the very foundation of our economy with job losses and inflation caused by rising prices for food and other necessities.
Americans are being told by Washington politicians that we must choose between addressing our needs today and planning for tomorrow, increasing domestic supply and protecting the environment, and accepting today’s energy realities or investing in better technology for tomorrow. These are false choices, and they are fueling the inaction in Congress that is squeezing consumers to death.
It’s time for a change in the way Congress thinks about energy policy, and David Cappiello is ready to fight for it.
David Cappiello will fight to lift the ban on offshore oil and gas drilling. America is dependent on foreign oil because Congress is blocking the exploration of our own reserves. The Outer Continental Shelf contains an estimated 18 BILLION barrels of oil and 12 trillion of cubic feet of natural gas. Nobody is talking about destroying our environment in the process. We’re talking about using the American ingenuity that put a man on the moon to tap our own energy reserves in an environmentally responsible manner, miles away from our shores.
David Cappiello will work to encourage the use of nuclear power. Nuclear energy is cheap, efficient, and free of hazardous air emissions, but the U.S. gets less than 20% of its electricity from nuclear energy. By contrast, France produces almost 80% of its electricity from nuclear power and has the most affordable rates in Europe, without serious concerns about waste or safety. Nuclear technology has come a long way, and the U.S. should embrace it.
David Cappiello will work to end the costly ethanol mandate. Corn-based ethanol sounded too good to be true, and we’re finding out it was. Ethanol reduces fuel efficiency in cars, adds to the cost at the pump, and fleeces taxpayers with billions in subsidies to massive, wealthy farms every year. Until technology becomes available to make ethanol more efficient and affordable, Congress needs to revise or repeal the ethanol mandate out of respect to consumers and taxpayers.
David Cappiello will work to streamline fuel production. Right now, the law requires that different types of “boutique blends” of gasoline be produced in the United States- some of which are duplicative or unnecessary. David Cappiello will work to roll back requirements for production on unneeded gas blends that fracture the market and drive up costs for consumers.
David Cappiello believes we must reform the oil futures market. Commodities trading is an important part of our economy, but some investors have gotten out of control in oil speculation. This pushes high oil prices even higher, and Congress must work to prevent abuses and close loopholes so that a few investors are not gambling with our economic future.
David Cappiello will work to invest in cleaner technologies for the future. Our economy relies on fossil fuels right now, but we must invest in cleaner, renewable technology that will reduce our reliance on petroleum over time. Government should work to encourage their development much like we do with medical research. David will support investing in research and development of renewable energy solutions like wind, solar, and fuel cells that can be provided to the public when they become PRACTICAL and affordable for everyday use.
David Cappiello will help Americans conserve. David Cappiello believes that Americans want to be smart about energy conservation, but understands that energy efficient improvements are a significant financial investment for families and businesses. David will help American citizens be part of the solution by supporting tax credits for a wide range of energy saving upgrades to homes, businesses, and lifestyles.
August 8th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Mr. Capiello,
thanks for sharing your thoughts on energy policy. One thing you should note is that the estimated 18 billion barrels of oil you speak of is, relatively speaking, a very very small amount. If we could recover it all at once (which we obviously can’t) it would fill US demand for about 2 years. Spread out over the 30 years that it will take to explore, find and recover this resource, it will be an insignificant proportion of our needs and certainly will have no impact on prices for many years, if ever. I don’t know why this issue is even worth the debate.
Also, by waiting to support renewable sources are practical, you may be hindering development. I liked McCain’s idea for an X-prize type award, but government investment in R&D must continue or the rest of the world will continue to lead us in these areas. Wind is already cost competitive with traditional generation methods and Europeans are way ahead of us in exploiting this fast-growing market. America used to be a leader in technological development but we have fallen behind the rest of the world. As an engineer, this hurts to watch.
I agree that supporting conservation is a smart approach. Investment in this area carries an excellent return.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
It’s time the GOP stepped up to the plate on energy, good show. Too many of our RINO friends are seduced into believing that they have to go along with extreme green agendas. The green anti-energy feeling is very limited in the general public.
Now Connecticut has to eliminate the state ban on new nuclear power plants, stop intervention in NYS against Indian Point and let some new natural gas pipelines be built.
We aren’t all so wealthy that we can indulge our fears like the greens do
August 8th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Rising prices are the result of inflation, not inflation itself. Inflation is an increase in the money supply. You can’t fix the problem until you can identify the problem.
Cappiello’s economic philosophy is inconsistent. Deregulating oil drilling is good, but further regulating commodity trading is bad. Regulations will disrupt the market and cause further volatility.
And what makes Cappiello think he has the right to confiscate my money and “invest” it in whatever “cleaner” technology he thinks shows promise? Don’t Republicans believe in free markets? In the free market, people invest their own money.
To CTENERGY:
When you add a relatively insignificant amount with another relatively insignificant amount with another relatively insignificant amount you end up with a significant amount. Reading your comment I was reminded of that old Washington saying “A billion here, a billion there and pretty soon you’re talking real money.”
And governments don’t have to give rewards for inventions. The reward comes from profits when the idea is sold to people who think the invention has value.