Sunday, May 1, 2011

Energy resources are in our backyard

As a twice wounded veteran, I feel strongly about our nation’s energy security. Our government continues to apply an astronomical amount of resources to maintain and secure access to Middle East fuel sources. These countries are unstable and our dependence on them puts our national security and our energy future in jeopardy. The U.S. cannot continue down this path. With rising gas prices and the demand for energy growing every day, we must maximize opportunities to establish energy corridors with friendly neighbors in our own hemisphere.

The construction of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline, which will connect an abundant supply of Canadian crude oil with U.S. refining markets, is an essential opportunity we should seriously consider. The pipeline could reduce our dependence on oil from Venezuela and the Middle East by up to 40 percent, fostering much-needed economic growth.

Canada is our largest trading partner and an influx of Canadian oil resources will make a significant difference in the U.S. The Canadian Research Institute estimates that the oil sands in Canada could generate nearly 340,000 new U.S. jobs while adding billions to the U.S. GDP over the next five years. With unemployment still very high throughout the U.S., Americans will stand to benefit from the jobs the pipeline could create.

With the summer months quickly approaching and gas prices already averaging more than $3.73 for a gallon of regular gasoline in Florida, the pipeline will help increase access to stable and affordable energy supplies. More importantly, it will provide us with enough resources to avoid massive price increases at the pump. Many Floridians remain out of work and simply cannot afford higher energy costs. These costs go beyond what we pay to gas up our vehicles. They also affect out monthly utility bills and weekly grocery trips.

Canada is an undoubtedly reliable trading partner and our nation could certainly benefit from their vast supply of energy resources. It makes complete sense to rely on a friendly ally rather than hostile nations half way across the world. We must stop finding reasons to prevent projects like the pipeline from coming to fruition.

Source: http://www.alachuatoday.com

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