Senator John Cornyn

Thank you for being a leader and taking proactive effort to really change our energy policy, including developing domestic oil resources.  With the level of volatility in the market now, it seems that merely announcing that we have approved drilling would cause a drop in the price of oil, let alone actually getting contracts signed and work started.

American Energy Independence and Security comes from a three-fold mission:

1.  America has a divine destiny to defend democracy in every nation that currently embraces democracy, and promote democratic priniciples where tyranny and dictatorship runs supreme.  This cannot be accomplished while we are beholden to the very tyrannants against whom we fight.

2.  Energy, whether from oil, bio-mass, coal, or nuclear power, is the life-blood of the American economy.  The effects of skyrocketing fuel has a direct impact on the affordability of food, clothing, and shelter for every citizen, rich or poor.  We must bring down the price of energy without further delay.

3.  American Energy Independence and Security will result in the creation of thousands and thousands of jobs.  The oil shale fields alone can produce enough oil to replace our current imports and do so for 240 years.  This is a minimum of 5 generations of employment for families in CO, UT, and WY.  We have 250 years of coal supplies that can be converted to liquid fuel, and produce thousands of jobs.

"Drill and Mine US Oil--Buy and Refine US Oil! (copyright 2008, kelly and dorthey knight, www.knoyd.com)

In the computer business we have to perform proof of concept installations to prove our concepts/products to a customer.

Why not do this with energy.  Take the 5 oil companies and offer each a lease for immediate drilling. One could be the "dome" in the 62 millions of acres already allowed.  One could be atlantic shelf, one pacific coast, rest in the guld.

Likewise with atomic. Pensylvannia Power and Light has a world renowned safty record, give it immediate ok to build best of current technology plant in its area as proof of concept.  Also build one on large remote military base sa in the dakotas, they not need to draw power form the "grid" and could feed excess back into the grid.

 Same would apply to wind, solar, etc

There has been much discussion about the amount of time from new domestic oil to the gas pump and that the price would not be impacted due to the wait time.  Our opinion is even though oil taken now has to be stored until refining, it that much oil available that would not have to be purchased from foreign sources.  That in itself will drive the price down.

Another issue, related to alternative fuel:  Why doesn't Congress lift the subsidities on sugar beets, thereby reducing the drain on corn and soy products?

I'm glad to see Sen. Cornyn is taking a lead on the energy issue!

I wish more politicians would do "Energy Independence Days" and get the people talking.

Janis, I'm glad you brought up Pickens' self-serving plan.  Billionaires don't spend $47 million on marketing campaigns unless they expect a huge return.

The rights-of-way for the proposed transmission line for his wind-energy field will allow him to take advantage of a loophole in Texas law that gives the transmission company the ability to lease that right-of-way to a water pipeline company.  That water pipeline company, owned by Pickens and several of his key employees, would carry water from the Ogallala acquifer in the Texas Panhandle to the DFW metroplex.  Drawing that water from the acquifer will deplete it rapidly thus hurting the bread-basket farming in the Panhandle that helps to provide food to your plate.  The primary beneficiary of the plan will be Pickens.

The wind-generation field and pipeline also traverse prime wildlife habitat.  It was to this very plan that my mention of the Lesser Prairie Chicken was aimed.

You also might want to look at the benefit to Pickens various investments such as in natural gas and alternative energy companies.  Billionaires don't get to be billionaires by being philanthropists.

How about takening off the number of barrels a well can pump per month. Do this for 6 months to a year. that would give more oil for some time and keep on drilling.

There is one plan that is under way now! It is called the Pickens Plan and I am sure you have heard of it by now. It is all over the web and TV.. It is not the entire ansere, but at least a start and  , we who have signed up which now number over 20,000 in just a few days need all of you Dems and Reps. to joing in this hugh effort..

http://www.youtube.com/pickensplan

Thank you,

Janis Oney, Brownwood, Tx.

I really appreciate Senator Cornyn devoting his time and effort to this critical issue for our nation.  We have an opportunity to advance our fullfillment of energy needs while at the same time attending to issues in the environment that were neglected or unknown when our petroleum and coal resources were originally developed.  That attention should be paid in the development of bio-fuels, solar, nuclear and wind energy as well.

 The choice of filming this clip at Padre Island National Seashore seems to be a statement that we will consider the environmental impacts of new energy development.  If that is so, I applaud such a bold stance because it often conflicts with the public image of a Republican candidate.  It is however, something near and dear to the hearts of many citizens.

 Land use patterns affect the ability of wildlife populations to be sustained.  Roads and other disturbance often make habitat unsuitable for species like the Lesser Prairie Chicken.  As a hunter, I'm sure the Senator wants to see such things weighed into the balance as we develop these new resources.

 Involving the highly qualified biologists from the Texas Parks & Wildlife would be a great way to insure that new alternative energy projects take into account the biological diversity of our state.  After all, hunting and wildlife viewing are also critical components of our economy.