We need real energy solutions that address supply and demand

Two months ago, I made the point that a steak-and-eggs breakfast in Las Vegas was cheaper than the price of a gallon of gas. With soaring energy costs fueling increases in the price of food and other consumer goods, it seems that any kind of bargain these days will be harder to find, even in a city famous for them.

The struggle to find bargains and pay for daily necessities is why Congress must address the current energy crisis now. Every time Americans fill up their tanks, check out at the grocery store, or make a decision about where to cut spending, the weight of Congress' inaction gets heavier and heavier.

For many months, Republicans have been working to provide relief from the burden of gas prices on all facets of American life. We've been focused on a three-pronged approach: boosting renewable and alternative energy, encouraging energy efficiency, and growing our American energy supply.

We need to extend renewable energy tax incentives before they expire. With exciting energy technology on the horizon, now is the time for aggressive investment in renewable and green energy -- solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, fuel cells and electric vehicles. I also believe that energy efficiency is the key to increasing conservation of our nation's energy resources.

Using alternative energy and energy efficiency to be better stewards of our environment must be balanced with the need for reliable, affordable energy to fuel our lives and our economy.

Growing our American energy supply is critical to this equation. We have to infuse American energy into our marketplace -- it will lower fuel prices and remove us from the grip of countries that hate us but to whom we pay $700 billion a year for oil. We are facing a problem of supply and demand where, simply put, we use more than we have. But with trillions of barrels of oil right here in the United States and under our control -- not in Saudi Arabia or Venezuela or some other country where many people hate us -- energy independence can be a reality.

We have at least 10 billion barrels of oil in ANWR, 8.5 billion barrels in deep sea exploration and more than a trillion barrels from oil shale in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. We also have a 230-year supply of coal and great potential in nuclear energy. These changes would lower prices and would do so quickly because the market will react to expected supply increases. And the American people would react to the fact that we have shown vision and accomplished something for their good.

Unfortunately, Democrats have answered one of the greatest challenges facing our nation with flawed ideas that aren't worth a tank of gas but would cost us dearly.

First there was the climate tax bill that would have devastated our economy and increased the price of gas by 50 cents to a dollar per gallon. Can you imagine? More recently, they rolled out their plan to curb oil speculation which does little, if anything, about high gas prices. That means it does nothing to bring down the price of food, clothing or any of the other consumer goods that are affected by the price of gas. It will not provide relief for struggling Americans, and it lacks the vision and leadership our country needs on this issue. All it does is delay other efforts that would make a difference.

Countless constituents have taken the time to share their personal stories with me, and there is a common thread in their messages. Fixed-income seniors worry about driving to the doctor and paying for food. They're asking for real solutions. Many Nevadans can't afford to travel to visit ailing relatives. They're asking for real solutions. Our entire tourism industry in the United States is being hurt by the high cost of fuel. Manufacturers are cutting jobs. Families have to cut spending a little deeper every week to balance their budgets. They're asking for solutions.

The time for talk passed as quickly as $3.50-a-gallon gas came and went. Enough is enough. I recently took to the Senate floor and asked my colleagues across the aisle: "At what price per gallon will you finally step aside and allow us to focus on real solutions?"

Bill Clinton vetoed ANWR 13 years ago in a bill passed by Republicans in Congress. If he had signed that bill into law, at least 1 million more barrels of oil would be flowing to the United States every day and gas prices would be lower.

We can't afford to miss another opportunity for action. Now is the time to act.

John Ensign, a Republican, represents Nevada in the U.S. Senate.