Now is the time for energy independence and freedom from the political, military and polluting consequences of it.  Now is the time to reduce our carbon emissions and improve the quality of our air and water, as well as reduce the impact of the greenhouse effect.   This must be a priority for the next administration and congress.

Local Impact

Dumping and run-off from developments near streams, rivers and marshes in our district have polluted our waters with fertilizer, pesticides, industrial chemicals, oil and metals from tires.  These pollutants have produced dangerous environments for our marine life, causing them to become ill, and to pass those poisons up the food chain to us.  

Every river in the 1^st district is polluted at dangerous levels by mercury, largely as a result of coal-fired power plants.   Recreational fishermen now put themselves at risk when they fish our rivers, and poor people, who count on the river as a food source, will suffer serious health consequences.  Coal-fired power plants also generate more greenhouse gases than any other factor on the planet.

But there is a safer and quicker alternative to a coal power plant.  Currently, the region exceeds average energy usage by 40%.  If we conserve that amount, it would be equivalent to the energy provided by the coal-fired power plant.   Working together, we are more than capable of making small sacrifices and investments to preserve clean air, water and our quality of life.

If you take the same old path, with the same old people on this problem, the consequences can be dire.   Let's stop the short-sighted thinking when we have new technologies which are healthier, less expensive and would contribute to South Carolina's economy.

Steps to Take

• Become the incubator for new energy technologies in wind and solar power. We could have an economic revolution and say goodbye to our low national rankings in employment, wages and job growth.
• Increase the fuel economy standards to 40 miles per gallon by 2015. This will result not only in an oil demand reduction of one-third, but also keep our American auto industry competitive with Japanese automakers.
• Offer tax incentives for the development of renewable energy companies and technologies.
• Consider a 0 capital gain rate on no-impact renewable energy companies.
• Require tankers to switch to cleaner, less polluting, fuel sources as they approach our harbors.
• Strengthen anti-trust laws on anti-competitive actions by oil companies.
• Establish a Refining Reserve to complement the Petroleum Reservation and finance it by a windfall profits tax on oil companies.
• Lawmakers should reevaluate their relationship with the oil industry if they truly want to reduce global warming and decrease our oil dependency. From 2001-2007, the oil industry contributed $61 million in campaign contributions.
• Sign the Kyoto agreement.
• Work with state and local governments on smart growth communities.