Chet Edwards For Congress

Lampson Urges House Leadership To Seek Bipartisan Solutions To Energy Crisis

by John Pape | Ft. Bend Now

Lampson recently sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James Clyburn, Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel and Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman John Larson saying the contentious nature of the debate is overshadowing "true policy concerns."

"I write to you to strongly consider taking a bipartisan, comprehensive approach to solving our energy problem. The rancor and incivility with which this debate has been waged thus far has overshadowed the true policy concerns we must address and is unacceptable to the American people who look to us for leadership and solutions," Lampson wrote in his letter. "We will not be able to accomplish anything, let alone lead our nation to energy independence, if we are unable to have a civil debate and are unwilling to allow all options on the table."

Lampson went on to tell the House leadership that drilling in ANWAR should be on the table.

"In particular, legislation to increase domestic energy production, including the opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Outer Continental Shelf, should be a part of the way forward and not blocked from consideration in favor of harmful efforts to stifle production on existing leasing," Lampson noted.

Speaking to Fort Bend Now, Lampson said everyone is feeling the pinch and Congress needs to look for solutions, not political positions.

"All of us, families and businesses, are feeling the financial pain high energy prices are causing. Our country needs a common sense energy policy that embraces traditional and alternative energy sources to provide a needed relief," Lampson said. "The energy challenge we face is real and urgent; it should not be mired by partisan politics, it should be overcome with sensible dialog, compromise and solutions."

Lampson said his solution is a pragmatic mix of immediate, short-term relief coupled with long-term progress toward energy independence.

"My energy plan is a pragmatic approach to providing short-term gas relief and long-term energy solutions. It has received bipartisan support and I think it could be a first step to opening a dialog on a national energy policy," Lampson said.

In May, Lampson and fellow Democrat Chet Edwards introduced legislation that would modernize the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help address immediate needs, coupled with investing in alternative energy research to cultivate sustainable energy independence. The two congressmen were joined by a bipartisan House coalition in pushing the bill.

The Invest in Energy Independence Act would provide $1 billion for alternative energy research by generating new revenue through the Strategic Petroleum Reserve modernization and redirecting Department of Energy resources to researching the alternative energy options.

The legislation directs the Secretary of Energy to exchange 10 percent of light crude in the reserve for heavy crude. The exchange would create new revenue by capitalizing on the price difference between light and heavy crude. That, the bill's sponsors say, will unlock some of the value in the reserve without affecting the overall capacity or strategic policy. The release would also help reduce the effects of market speculation on oil prices.

"The cost of crude oil continues to reach unprecedented prices and America has reached a tipping point when it comes to energy," Lampson said at the time he introduced the legislation. "We must make a serious commitment to developing a diverse supply of domestic energy sources, especially as we find ourselves in an increasingly stiff competition for energy with the rapidly growing demands of China and India."