The West Virginia Record

 

Manchin

By GOV. JOE MANCHIN

CHARLESTON -- As chairman of the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) and as the governor of a major energy-producing state, I have called upon fellow governors to join me in signing a Declaration of American Energy Independence. This document is a strong step toward ending our dependency on foreign oil.

Energy independence is crucial to America's economic future and national security. More than 60 percent of our petroleum comes from foreign sources, many of which are highly unstable. And our dependency is growing. We must act now to free ourselves from that dependency.

The Declaration of American Energy Independence supports the American Energy Security Initiative, a plan to eliminate imported oil by 2030. The initiative calls for innovative clean energy technology and conservation efforts, and for creating "Alternative Energy Farms," multi-source energy complexes that produce electricity, liquid fuels, natural gas substitutes, hydrogen, process heat, agricultural fertilizers and petrochemical feedstocks.

We depend on imported oil to power our cars, trucks, trains and planes. We use it in our homes, our schools, hospitals, factories and our own military. Our nation's governors must be united on energy policy with a strong, clear voice if we are to free ourselves from foreign oil.

Petroleum imports are the single-largest cause of the negative U.S. trade balance. It costs the U.S. economy about $315 billion per year, which makes it quite evident our country is at an energy crossroads. Now is the time to agree on our strategy.

America is not prepared for the consequences of the loss of oil imports. A natural disaster or terrorist attack that interrupts our supply could have catastrophic economic impacts, triggering inflation or even a depression. That is why we must take steps to ensure alternative fuels are available -- we cannot wait any longer.

In addition to encouraging other governors to support the Declaration of American Energy Independence, I am excited to play host to the "American Energy Security Summit" April 16-18 in Alexandria, Va. This summit will rally support for the American Energy Security Initiative and the policies it recommends.

I will continue to do all I can to ease our state's and our nation's dependence on foreign oil by advocating cleaner new technology that uses existing domestic natural resources; through conservation efforts; and through alternative energy. Energy independence is one of the most important keys to a prosperous future for West Virginians and all Americans.

Please find out more or get a copy of the Declaration of American Energy Independence at www.AmericanEnergySecurity.org.