America’s vast energy resources should be front and center in any conversation about energy policy according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., who said that energy security begins with developing all of America’s energy sources, both traditional and alternative.

Enzi issued the following comments after voting against S.2204, legislation which he said would increase taxes on energy companies and do nothing to lower energy prices:

“The Senate should pass legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline so we can obtain more of our energy from Canada as opposed to countries like Saudi Arabia.  The Senate should pass legislation to prohibit the EPA from implementing its greenhouse gas policy – which will make it more difficult to use our most abundant, domestic energy source – coal – to power our homes, businesses, and daily lives.

“The Senate should pass legislation to open up more areas of the Outer Continental Shelf to exploration and production, and should require the Administration to grant permits for responsible energy development.  We should also pass legislation to open up a small area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to energy development.

“I want to see more oil produced in regions like the ANWR.  I want to determine what technology is needed to recover the nearly 800 billion barrels of oil shale that the Rand Corporation has suggested are recoverable.  I want to see permits granted in areas of Wyoming so we can develop our state’s coalbed methane.  I also want to see more wind turbines and solar energy panels in places where they make sense.

“In 2010, more than 21,000 workers were employed in the oil and gas industry in Wyoming.  Instead of punishing these companies for their success, we should be finding ways to work with them so they can put more Americans back to work.”

Click here to read Sen. Enzi’s full statement on S. 2204.