03/21/07 SAFE energy act

Idaho's Larry Craig and North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan have unveiled the SAFE energy act. SAFE stands for Security America's Future Energy, something Dorgan says has to happen. DORGAN "Being this dependent on foreign sources of oil much of it from troubled parts of the world makes no sense at all." Dorgan says America imports between 60 and 65 percent of the oil it needs. DORGAN "We put straws in the earth and suck oil out of this planet, about 84 million barrels a day. We use one fourth of it right here in this plata land called the United States of America. The security of our county, the security of our economy depends on our ability to do better." Dorgan and Craig's legislation is based on recommendation of the Energy Security Leadership Council released last December. DORGAN "Protect our country's economic and energy security by using a series of approaches in public policy change that allow us to produce more, conserve more and substantially expand the opportunities for renewable energy. The SAFE Energy Act calls for stricter fuel economy standards, expanded domestic oil and natural gas production, accelerated development of long-term renewable energy sources and greater attention to energy risk management. All are measures supported by 80-percent of the public according to a recent Energy Security Leadership Council poll. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott