Gary Trauner

There has been a lot of posturing recently about the best way to secure America's energy future and, by extension, the strength of America's economy and leadership position in the world.

Since the day I started running for Wyoming's lone seat in the U.S. House, I have been saying that the search for sustainable energy independence is the issue of our time. It affects our national security, our economy, our environment and the legacy we leave to future generations.

First, I agree with President Bush, who said in his State of the Union Address in 2006, "Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. Here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil."

Here are a couple of interesting facts, which no one disputes:

- Even if we drill everywhere we can, including Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf, we will still have only 3 percent of the world's oil reserves. The remaining 97 percent is found mainly in countries ruled by dictators who are not exactly friends of the United States.

- Oil production in the U.S. peaked in the mid-1970s - yes, nearly 35 years ago. And that was before we opened Prudhoe Bay in Alaska and most of the offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Even with such efforts, we have gone from producing over 8 million barrels per day to under 5 million barrels per day while imports have increased from roughly 30 percent to over 70 percent.

As a businessman, I look at the return on our investment to America's future from any steps we take regarding energy. The Energy Information Administration estimates that even if we drill in ANWR, gas prices may go down by a few pennies in the next 15 years or so, while oil imports continue to increase; no business would make an investment with such a minimal return.

Do we need to continue responsible drilling for existing fuel sources while we put together an Apollo-moon type project for diversified energy independence? Yes! But here's another interesting fact: according to the Energy Department, U.S. exports of finished petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel, soared to 1.592 million barrels per day in May 2008, an increase of 31 percent from one year ago. That's right: Nearly a third of the total of 5 million barrels per day of oil we drill and refine here is shipped overseas.

So if we are really serious about bringing down gas prices, I've got a new slogan: "American Energy for the American People - Drill Here. Sell Here. Now." I am willing to support legislation to drill in areas not yet open for leasing with the following provisions:

1. Make oil and gas companies either drill on existing leases in a reasonable period of time (just like we require of coal companies) or give them up so we can find companies that will.

2. Sell all petroleum products from drilling in areas currently off limits solely in the American marketplace - no more cries for independence from foreign oil while shipping American oil overseas.

3. Finally, any legislation must also include a comprehensive package for energy independence, including cracking down on speculation, increased research and development funding, tax incentives to industry for alternative fuels (including clean-coal technologies), tax credits to encourage efficiency in vehicles and appliances, aiding in the increase of transmission capability, and an immediate raise of fuel economy standards.

In summary, the following is from an article in the Casper Star-Tribune on June 15: "Looking to the next year, Charles F. Mason, the H.A. 'Dave' True Jr. professor of petroleum and natural gas economics at the University of Wyoming, said the notion that the nation could simply drill more wells to become 'independent' of foreign oil imports simply isn't realistic. 'It's a myth,' Mason said."

In the same article, Professor Mason summed it up very well: "It's a great place to make a stand if a politician is up for re-election. But realistically, I don't see that as having a significant impact," he said.

My plan will have a significant impact. First, we immediately relieve the pain at the pump by bringing down gas prices. Next, we ensure jobs and a strong economy here in Wyoming as we drill responsibly and consume domestically. Finally, we give our young people the opportunity to stay home and have some of the best jobs in the world by developing the untapped and nearly unlimited potential of clean coal, wind, solar and other new energy technologies here in Wyoming.

The very future of our nation is at stake. Countries that hold the keys to the new energy technologies of the future will be the world leaders of the future. We need leadership and vision to achieve our goal of energy independence, along with a firm and lasting commitment to developing new sources of cleaner energy, and to doing it right. I am in complete agreement with Professor Mason - the last thing we can afford is cheap political pandering. Unless, of course, we find some way to convert that hot air into energy!

Gary Trauner of Wilson is the Democratic nominee for Wyoming's U.S. House seat.