Chamber Pushes for Next Steps in Energy Debate

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce held a national energy summit to jump start the discussion on the political and technological steps necessary for America to achieve energy security and help relieve high fuel prices.

"There are things we can do now as a nation to help ease high energy costs," said William Kovacs, Chamber vice president for Environment, Technology, and Regulatory Affairs. "We know where the energy is, it's here right in our own backyard, and we know how to extract it in an environmentally friendly way. That is part of the solution."

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and Deputy Energy Secretary Clay Sell addressed the summit. Business leaders and top government officials discussed ways to achieve energy security, develop technology and implement the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Without access to affordable and reliable supplies of energy, the United States is losing its global competitiveness, according to the Chamber. Passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was a critical first step toward securing America's energy, economic, and national security. However, policy alone cannot overcome the nation's energy challenges.

"We can't drill our way to energy security or rely only on alternative energy sources to meet our growing economy and quality of life," continued Kovacs. "We need to utilize every option available to us, and that requires a discussion about what technologies are workable now and what are workable in the future."

The U.S. Chamber is urging the Senate to follow the House's lead and adopt comprehensive legislative solutions that expand the domestic production of energy in places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Outer Continental Shelf. Implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and in particular those provisions that support the development of new energy technologies, is another priority for the Chamber.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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