WASHINGTON, D.C._ Second District Republican Congressman Bruce Poliquin says even with the current low price of oil, the United States needs to adopt more policies to increase its energy independence, and not just for economic reasons.
"National security is something that is very connected to our energy independence. We have talked about this for years." says Poliquin.
But Poliquin says domestic energy developers need to stand on their own without the help of federal government subsidies. For example, he says states in the Pacific Northwest have benefited from hydropower subsidies. "Why should Maine taxpayers be paying for a source of energy in Washington state? Now, I believe in all sources of energy, but over a period of time we need to wind down these subsidies to make sure everybody can make it on their own."