We need to implement smart, targeted national policies in order to help unlock the full energy potential of our state and protect South Dakota’s families from rising energy costs.

I support a comprehensive energy policy that includes support for clean coal technology, domestic oil and gas exploration and drilling, hydropower, increased use of renewable fuels like biofuels and wind, enhancing energy transmission from the Midwest, action to prevent energy market manipulation or harmful speculation, and incentives for energy conservation. I have supported efforts to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as on the Outer Continental Shelf, when joined with more comprehensive policies, including expanding the use of renewable fuels.

I have also introduced legislation that would encourage and incentivize the development and use of cellulosic ethanol derived from woody biomass on federal lands, like the Black Hills National Forest, and from private forests as well. The bill would significantly broaden the definition of cellulosic ethanol within the Renewable Fuels Standard to include more biomass gathered from federal lands.

Congress has taken an important step to assist South Dakota’s participation in the new energy economy through the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which I supported. This package contains $20 billion in tax incentives and relief to spur renewable energy development and energy efficiency measures that can benefit South Dakotans, including an extension of the Production Tax Credit for wind through 2012; enhanced tax credits for E85 and Biodiesel dispensing equipment; about $4.5 billion to help modernize the electric grid; up to $1.6 billion for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds; and improved tax credits for installing energy-efficient windows, doors, and insulation at home.

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