Dear Mr. President,

            Today we face a major problem in this country and that problem revolves around energy.   We import large amounts of oil from nations around the world, and pay high prices for it.  These nations hold incredible leverage over our security and future.  Also we face the environmental impact of our energy consumption which threatens to damage our planet permanently.  These problems must be solved to ensure our future. 

            In order to protect ourselves, we must be energy independent.  In order to do this we must begin to use renewable resources such as wind, solar, and nuclear power.  These resources are clean and renewable.  Today nuclear plants provide 15% of America’s power and this number should increase because nuclear power is cheaper and cleaner than oil and coal.  Many states have banned the construction of new plants, but this should be changed.  These renewable resources will be very important for our long term energy security, but they do not help Americans who are struggling to pay high gasoline prices.  To solve this problem we need a short term solution and the best solution is to increase our supply of oil by increasing off shore drilling off our shores.  Another source is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska which is full of oil.  Another way to help lower prices is to lower federal taxes on gasoline.  These taxes can be permanently lowered or removed at times of high demand.  This would allow us to keep the prices low when they could rise.  These “tax holidays” would greatly aid the American people pay for their gas.  Today many people choose their automobile based on the average miles per gallon or the availability of a hybrid option.  If we can create legislation based on increasing the efficiency of cars we can lower fuel consumption and help clean the environment.  I believe that these actions are necessary for our energy independence.  The oil producing powers have controlled our energy usage for too long and it must be stopped.  Whenever I or members of my family go to buy gas we are paying outrageous prices and therefore do not have the money to buy other products which directly impacts the economy.  If my family and others like mine can not buy as many products then businesses will make less money and therefore will have to eliminate jobs.  This will cause a downward spiral as more and more people lose jobs and spend less and less.   The energy usage of America affects almost every other part of our society and has an effect on people’s everyday lives.  In order to protect the strategic and economic future of the United States we must solve our energy problems, but there are obstacles ahead.

            There are arguments to be made against these proposals and I recognize that.  Many people say for example that nuclear plants are dangerous, vulnerable to attack, and expensive to build.   There have been accidents, but they are uncommon and not as dangerous as people believe.  With proper supervision and protection, they are a safe and clean source of energy.  Nuclear plants are expensive to build, but once constructed they are cheaper than other energy sources.  Many people also say that we should not drill offshore or in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve because it hurts the environment and is not a long term solution.  More drilling is not a solution long-term but is a solution now and will help the American people in their daily lives.  On the other hand oil does have a significant impact on the environment, but the only way to solve that problem is to completely eliminate its use.  This is not possible at this time and until it is we must take advantage of the resources we have.  The United States will continue to use huge amounts of oil in the coming years and we should use the oil that we have here then import it from foreign countries.  

            Many people disagree about these issues, but everyone knows there is a problem that must be fixed.  Wind and solar power are the future of our energy use, but we can not wait for these technologies to become available to everyone.  There are solutions that are available now which include nuclear power and off shore drilling.  Some argue that nuclear power hurts the environment because used fuel has to be disposed of.  This concern is unjustified as today we have become very adept at disposing of used fuel underground where it is safe.  Everyone uses oil during their day for their car to heat their home or for electrical power.  Unfortunately, our supply is beginning to fall, and following the laws of supply and demand, the prices are rising.  The only way to lower the price is to increase the supply and to do this we must drill off shore.  Sure electric and hydrogen cars are on the way, but we need help sooner than later.  Today we face a serious energy crisis.  We are giving away our salaries at the pump, being controlled by foreign countries and damaging the environment everyday.  We can not allow this to continue.