Have you used you're voice?

While, I have received a handful of these, and I understand the electronic copy is much more environmentally friendly there is some guilty pleasure when I do receive one of these letters by mail.  Something about mail feels more authentic.  Curiosity leads me to wonder if it means more to them when I send my 2 cents with a 44 cent stamp...

February 25, 2010

Dear Eckhard,

Thank you for contacting me about important debates in Congress on energy reform and legislation to reduce carbon pollution.  I appreciate that you took the time to share your specific concerns with me about these critical issues.

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and, more importantly, as a Westerner, I am very concerned about our energy future.  Our dependence on foreign sources of energy jeopardizes national security and limits economic development at home.  A smart, ambitious energy plan that takes advantage of all of our domestic energy options will create jobs for Americans, improve security, help the environment, and place America at the forefront of the next great, global revolution - the clean energy revolution.

That is why I support a comprehensive energy plan, including responsible onshore and offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, fast-tracking renewable energy sources and energy efficiency technology, and safely expanding nuclear power.  Natural gas, in particular, will be an important bridge fuel between the carbon intensive fuel sources of the last century and the clean energy economy of the 21st century.  We should also continue oil shale and clean coal research, although most experts agree these technologies are still far from being commercially viable.  I also strongly believe that comprehensive energy legislation should include a federal renewable electricity standard (RES).  Colorado is a leader in clean energy, thanks in part to our state RES that requires 20 percent of the state's electricity to be produced by renewable energy resources by 2020.

In addition, we must act to address the threats posed by the emission of greenhouse gases from combustion of fossil fuels, including finding ways to reduce pollution and adapt to our changing climate.  There are numerous proposals in the Senate to combat these problems, including a bill authored by Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer to limit greenhouse gas emissions and a comprehensive, bipartisan energy reform package approved by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in June 2009.  The United States also continues to participate in international negotiations to coordinate a global response to what is a global problem.  Putting an effective domestic plan in place first will improve our chances of securing a beneficial international agreement.  In this debate, my overriding goal is to strengthen our economy and reduce carbon pollution to benefit Coloradans and future generations.  Please know that as this process unfolds in the coming weeks and months that your concerns will help inform the decisions I make, and I will always keep the best interest of Coloradans as my highest priority.

I will continue to listen closely to what you and other Coloradans have to say about matters before Congress, the concerns of our communities, and the issues facing Colorado and the nation.  My job is not about merely supporting or opposing legislation; it is also about bridging the divide that has paralyzed our nation's politics.  For more information about my positions and to learn how my office can assist you, please visit my website at www.markudall.senate.gov. 

Warm regards,
 

Mark Udall
U.S. Senator, Colorado

MEU/mfl