| Ralph Hall is leading the opposition to change. He is cynically exploiting our suffering at the gas pump as an excuse to represent big oil. His proposed legislation limits our ability to have real alternative energy and conservation technology. Texas families need choices, not more of the same. Until Americans have a competitive energy market, we'll be paying extortion prices.
Hall is one of a small minority of radical Republicans pushing to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWAR). Every informed person knows there isn't enough oil in ANWAR to dramatically impact the price of gas. The Department of Energy has consistently projected modest petroleum reserves in ANWAR. According to the latest Energy Information Administration study ANWAR oil production constitutes between 0.4 and 1.2 percent of total world consumption in 2030. The study also predicts a 2 to 6 percent decline in U.S. market share for all imported liquid petroleum products. This means the price per barrel of oil would fall between only $0.41 and $1.44. Opening ANWAR to drilling wouldn't improve the lives of Texans. Gas prices would decline in pennies not dollars. Big oil, on the hand, would continue to rake in record profits. We need to change direction now.
Hall also falsely claims coal, oil shale and tar sands offer clean alternative energy sources. Nothing could be farther from the truth. These resources will continue to pollute our air and heat our environment. He favors repealing section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. If section 526 is repealed, government agencies could buy some of the dirtiest and most expensive fuels made from coal, oil shale and tar sands. The conversion of solid and semi-solid materials to liquid fuels has only become "affordable" at today's energy prices. He doesn't tell Texans that the federal government can already buy fuel today made of coal, oil shale and tar sands. All it has to do is clean it up. Repealing this restriction is simply a way to boost corporate profits at our expensive. Fossil fuel emissions are contributing to climate change. If global warming continues, North Texas will lose a majority of its surface water to evaporation.
We need new solutions to create a competitive energy market. Congress should redirect tax dollars from the oil giants to American universities and research facilities to develop alternative energy sources. We also need tax incentives for consumers, making conservation technologies more affordable for Texas families. Many of the technologies of the future are ready today. Windmills are now appearing all over West Texas, but what about solar? Public research facilities could lead the way, making photovoltaic cells more cost effective. There is no reason why every home and business couldn't become energy producers as well as consumers. Another promising option for solar power is concentrated solar. This technology uses mirrors to focus sunlight to superheat oil or salt. The superheated material then drives a standard steam generator.
North Texas also needs a seamless mass transportation network. Local governments are struggling to meet the rising demand for commuting choices. Unfortunately, the patchwork of efforts is making the projects more expensive than they need to be and lack the integration to make them effective. Texas families deserve a world class transportation system that makes the best use of existing technologies.
We have to start looking to the future. We can't afford to waste another 50 years. Clean, affordable energy is the key to a brighter future. If we start investing in America now, then Texas families can look forward to lower energy bills and a stronger economy.
Glenn Melancon of Sherman is a Democratic candidate in Texas' 4th Congressional District, the famous district of Sam Rayburn. The big district includes Bowie, Camp, Cass, Collin, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Morris, Rains, Red River, Rockwall and Titus counties.
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