An Energy Independent America

America can meet the challenge of energy independence by tapping the ingenuity that’s at the heart of our country. Last week, gas prices soared to more than $2 a gallon – the highest price ever. That’s a 56 cent increase since this administration took office. Higher gas prices hurt our economy, cause inflation, and contribute to our ever-growing trade deficit.

Rising gas prices empty the pocketbooks of American families and hurt American businesses. At $2 a gallon, gas will now cost the average household about $600 more each year.

The rise of energy prices limits the amount consumers are able to spend on other products and services. Merrill Lynch reported that every penny increase pinches the consumer by $1.4 billion, ultimately causing a $60 billion drain.

And over the past four years, rising gas prices have cost farmers more than $1.2 billion. And the rise in the cost of diesel fuel will cost the trucking industry an additional $6.3 billion.

Unfortunately George W. Bush has failed to lead as our gas prices have increased. And the mismanagement of the war in Iraq has also caused prices to increase. The current Administration has neither a short-term plan to lower gas prices nor a long term plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Reducing our dependence on oil and building a future of clean and abundant energy are urgent national priorities. For our security, our economy, and our environment, we must make America energy independent. By meeting this challenge, we’ll free ourselves of Mid-East oil and make our world cleaner and safer.

John Kerry has a plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. His plan includes creating clean, renewable sources of energy; raising fuel economy standards; improving energy conservation; and managing our Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

John Kerry will also use strong diplomacy to stand up to OPEC and defend American security without driving up oil prices. We can live in an America where our men and women in uniform are never held hostage to our dependence on Mid-East oil.