The Energy Challenge

By Keith Richardson

Keith Richardson believes that free-market forces, not bigger, costlier, less efficient and more intrusive government, are the 21st Century solution to our energy needs.

As congressman, Keith Richardson will support the following principles and goals for energy policy:

• Dramatically increase domestic sources of energy through careful regulatory rollbacks, and a renewed emphasis on proven clean coal and nuclear technologies. The strategy should include carefully regulated drilling in ANWR to access essential natural gas and oil reserves.
• Continue military and foreign policy strategies that promote long-term stability in world energy markets. Improve security for America's existing energy production facilities.
• Pursue tax and regulatory changes that promote new and existing technologies ranging from biodiesel, wind, solar, hydro and ethanol technologies.
• Pennsylvania is blessed with thousands of miles of deep natural gas and coal reserves. The 5th District is especially rich in these resources, and they should be utilized to revitalize our economy.
• Government at the state and federal levels should encourage and enable mining efforts through regulatory and tax relief.