What Price for Clean Energy?

The Clean Energy Act of 2009 does recognize three critical points: we must continue to depend upon nuclear energy; we must develop renewable energy sources; and we must have energy independence. I admit there there are also elements in this act that will create jobs. But energy independence and common sense should not become victims of clean energy.

Nuclear energy is currently the cleanest, most powerful and dependable source of electrical energy. But we have not built a single new reactor in decades. So this is a trend we will have to reverse, and that will require a battle against the Obama administration. This is crucial. We must expand our nuclear energy capability.

In order to be responsible stewards of the planet we must also develop renewable energy sources. Americans have always proven that we innovate and adapt. If this challenge was couched in the same language as Kennedy's race for space, we could expand our renewable energy sources dramatically in the next decade.

However, the third point is the most important. We must be energy independent. At this point, fossil fuels are still absolutely essential. We have a very long way to go before we will have hybrid fighter jets, or hydrogen powered transport aircraft. To think that we can defend our nation without fossil fuels is absurd. So, critical to our national security is energy independence, and currently that means fossil fuels.

Therefore we must drill here and drill now and we must develop more clean coal technologies. We must utilize the oil, natural gas and coal that are found in great abundance right here at home.

Yes, the clean energy act is a good idea. But it is not yet time to turn away from fossil fuels. It would be foolhardy to do this before we truly can sustain - and defend - our nation with nuclear and renewable energy resources alone.