In response to a request by a Georgia citizen for him to help oppose the Sabal Trail methane pipeline, Senator Johnny Isakson didn’t even answer directly, instead he sent a form letter pushing fossil fuels including “natural” gas, although it doesn’t get around to mentioning that until the second paragraph. An old letter, that refers to “last Congress” as when he wrote to “President Bush”. Why won’t a U.S. Senator represent his constituents? -jsq
From: senator@isakson.senate.gov
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2014 4:35 PMDear Mrs. Hall:
Thank you for contacting me regarding our nation’s energy dependence. I appreciate hearing from you and appreciate the opportunity to respond.
There are no quick fixes in dealing with our nation’s dependence on foreign energy, but there are things we have done to address it and there are more things we must do. I have voted to explore our own reserves in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) because I believe we can be good stewards of our land while at the same time exploring for resources that increase supply and lessen our dependence on foreign oil, thus reducing prices. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain the 60 votes needed to end the filibuster on this legislation in the last Congress. It is my hope that we will be able to address and pass these needed reforms in this session of Congress. I have voted to make oil-producing and exporting cartels, such as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), illegal, and to make any legislation that is introduced in the Senate that would increase gas prices subject to a procedural roadblock. I also have voted in favor of a 35-mile-per-gallon Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard for automobiles. By 2020, all cars sold in the United States must get an average of 35 miles to the gallon, saving 18 billion gallons a year of gas by 2020 and significantly reducing demand and gas prices. Last Congress I also wrote former President Bush to ask that he immediately halt deposits of domestic crude oil into the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Temporarily halting deposits to the reserve can provide some relief because the increased supply of oil available for refinement will send the right signal to all markets that the U.S. Government will take measures necessary to address exorbitant crude oil prices that negatively affect the global economy.
As a major consumer of energy, America should be a leader in the development of new sources of energy and the development of renewable resources. Last Congress I joined with Republican and Democratic colleagues to develop national energy policy to implement innovative solutions to increase electric generation and transmission, reduce gas prices, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and strengthen our economy. America’s energy infrastructure should encourage using all viable sources, including nuclear, natural gas, clean coal, wind, solar and geothermal energies. We have a diverse country with many assets that differ regionally. If we are going to have standards that call on us to find renewable energy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we must promote all of our resources. The use of alternative feed-stocks such as wood byproducts, grasses, and byproducts from peanuts, cotton and municipal waste can help us achieve a positive relationship between our economic needs and our environment’s conservation. We also should invest in new technologies involving ethanol, biodiesel and coal liquification to replace traditional fossil fuels. It is in our nation’s geopolitical and security interests to develop these technologies so that we stop purchasing energy from dictatorial regimes such as Iran and Venezuela that seek to do us harm. The Congress must continue to work to explore and recover domestic sources of energy, develop alternative fuel and energy sources, and continue to work to reduce demand for energy through conservation and efficiency. Rest assured that I will continue to work to meet these goals.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please visit my webpage at http://isakson.senate.gov/ for more information on the issues important to you and to sign up for my e-newsletter.
Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson
United States Senator
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