Washington has failed us again!

While working families have been forced to make tough choices, filling up the gas tank or cutting back at the grocery store, politicians...of both parties...are failing to solve the problem.

We need to end the partisan bickering and bring about a balanced approach to tackle this issue.  New Mexico families deserve better. 

We can't adopt the partisan Republican version that resists all regulation of oil companies and speculators and doesn't invest in alternative energy sources.

By the same token, we can't adopt the partisan-Democrat version that blocks any increase in domestic production, opposes research into nuclear power, and misleadingly asserts that releasing our strategic petroleum reserves will fix the high price of gas.

That's where I differ from my opponent. Martin Heinrich is preaching from the far-Left playbook. Heinrich’s energy plan is driven by narrow ideology and not the practical realities of addressing $4 per gallon gasoline. Heinrich worked as an operative for extreme special interest groups and they are now backing his campaign. They spent years blocking domestic production, which directly contributes to high gas prices.

We have to elect leaders in Washington who will put the ideology aside...and focus on practical solutions.  We need to put all options on the table to provide hard working families short-term relief and also longer-term solutions, while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

My energy policy is based on doing what's right for our national and economic security.

Here are some key provisions that I support.

1.  Innovate to find the next generation of energy sources. We must continue research and development into promising new, clean reliable energy sources.  This includes solar power, hydroelectric power, wind power, and biofuels.  This is an area where Martin and I agree. But this is where he stops, and I want to do much, much more because New Mexico families need more than that.

2.  Expand the use of clean energy sources now. We need to expand the use of proven alternative sources, including nuclear power, natural gas, and clean coal technology.

3.  Increase the production of American-made energy in an environmentally safe way.  Today, about 70% of the oil consumed in this country is imported, a significant amount from countries that are not friendly to the U.S.  That is unacceptable when America has a vast reservoir of untapped resources.  We must increase domestic production to increase supply and lower the price of gas. 

4.  End bureaucratic red tape.  We have to bring new, modern oil refineries on-line to increase supply. Bureaucracy and regulations have held up the construction process long enough.

5.  Encourage conservation. Americans want to be active partners.  We need to reward Americans who make their home, car, or business more energy efficient through conservation tax incentives.  And we should help more businesses allow their employees to telecommute by providing incentives.

6.  Corporate Responsibility.  American corporations need to be partners in this process as well.  I support increased fuel efficiency standards for automobiles.  There must be serious accountability tied to any tax credits for oil companies. For example, oil companies receiving tax credits for developing alternative energy sources must be investing those dollars in meaningful alternative energy research, or those credits should be ended.  Energy independence only works if we are all partners in the process.  We must be partners and this cannot be corporate welfare. 

7.  More oversight on speculators.  Some estimate 25% of the cost of a barrel of oil is due to speculation. Trading of oil futures should be transparent and subject to oversight. We must close loopholes, reform the system, and aggressively investigate cases of abuse and price manipulation.   

Only by tackling our energy problems on all fronts can we fix a broken situation that is making New Mexico families suffer. Playing partisan games and taking extreme positions will lead us no where. My plan brings everyone together and moving in the same direction towards more affordable energy and independence from foreign oil.