National Clean Energy Week—September 23-27—is a good time to recognize and celebrate Indiana’s commitment to an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy ranging from use of traditional energy sources such as coal and gas to cutting-edge nuclear energy research at Purdue University. As a member of the Indiana General Assembly, where I represent Anderson and portions of southern Madison County, I am proud of the progress we have made as a state to invest in and develop our energy resources to increase America’s energy independence, thus diversifying our energy options, creating good-paying Hoosier jobs, and being able to be better stewards of our world for our kids and grandkids. My view on diversifying our energy options and creating a stronghold for America’s energy independence ties back to one of my greatest influences: President Ronald Reagan.
In May 1987, President Reagan wrote in a message to Congress on energy security about the need to “continue conservation and progress toward diversification of our energy resources,” among other initiatives to ensure both economic and military security of our nation. Thirty-seven years later, the former president’s views remain compelling. According to from the Energy Information Administration, Indiana is the nation’s the eighth-largest coal producer, has the seventh-largest crude oil refinery in the nation, is the sixth-largest producer of fuel ethanol in the nation and is the nation’s fifth-largest producer of bi.
