I believe every citizen and elected official must be committed to protecting and preserving our environment.  It is essential that America gains energy independence and dramatically reduces dependence on fossil fuels. To deal with skyrocketing fuel, food, and energy prices the United States must adopt and implement a short and long term energy policy. For the short term, in the next decade we must increase our domestic supply of fuel and in the long term transition to renewable energy sources.  

      During the 1970's Oil Crisis, as a Member of the Florida Legislature and the Select Energy Committee I voted to drill for oil in the Florida Everglades. Even today we safely extract oil from that environmentally sensitive area. Having visited Alaska's ANWAR region three times, I believe we can safely tap oil resources without harming the environment. In fact, the area to be subject to drilling is less than the acreage of the Orlando Airport, in a vast range the size of Connecticut. 

      Furthermore huge natural gas reserves lie off Florida's Gulf Coast that can also be accessed without endangering our environment. Modern undersea technologies can insure safety. No one wants to see oil rigs or even huge wind turbines within sight of our shores. Gas and oil royalties can assist funding state needs and an increased supply will lower home and transportation energy costs. Most critical, however, is a solid plan to switch to non-fossil fuels as soon as possible. That means dramatic increased use of solar, wind, renewable, and nuclear sources. Federal support for research and development of new energy technology can also cut our oil dependency. 

      Raising taxes on oil companies and limiting supplies of natural gas will only drive up consumer costs. Without immediate and meaningful action by Congress Americans will continue to see their fuel, food, energy costs soar.