I am not convinced man has the power to cool or heat the earth. I have not seen scientific evidence of that. I agree that the earth has its own natural cycle of heating and cooling and it is always changing. Since I do not believe man has the ability to heat or cool the earth, I see no reason to enact policy like Cap and Trade, which I see as a regressive energy tax that will impact the poor and elderly the most. I believe the cost of Cap and Trade will put further pressure on the economy causing higher prices for everything that takes energy to produce. And for what? I dont think it will have a positive effect on the environment as I believe business will just move to where they can afford to operateaway from here.and we dont need to lose any more jobs!

That being said, I fully support being good stewards of the environment. I believe that is something we need to do for our childrens future. I believe we need to leave the earth better than how we found it, and it is with that spirit I make the following proposals:

I fully support encouraging companies to reduce their emissions and increase their efficiency through a system of tax breaks and research grants.

I fully support funding research into alternate energy sources and support continuing new solar technology, geothermal and any other new technology that is innovated.

I support clean water policies and infrastructure that will reduce the amount of pollution added to streams, lakes and rivers.

I also have a big problem with our country being dependent on other countries that do not share our values, our security interests, or have our general well being in mind for oil.

Open the gates and encourage increased oil production on the North American continent. By that I mean, Mexico, Canada, and the United States including northern Alaska and the surrounding continental shelf areas. At the same time, I propose an immediate $10 per barrel tariff on any foreign oil that is produced outside of North America. With the goal in mind of being free from the chains of foreign oil in 10 years, I propose working with economists in order to minimize the impact to our economy and raise that tariff until all foreign oil is priced out of our market.

I propose that we ear mark that tariff money to go directly and only into research for alternate forms of energy.

The benefits of my plans are:

An economy free of foreign oil dependency.

Fully funded research into alternate energy production.

Less funding for terrorist activities throughout the world.

And Most important, a better future for the children and grandchildren we leave behind.

In the mean time, until we come up with new technology, I fully support clean, safe, and efficient, nuclear power.

Here locally, we have a great opportunity! What would you say if I told you we have a way to reduce Oregonians energy bills, create 100s of jobs, and double the revenue of one of our most under funded counties.and in the process can improve the environment? Sound too good to be true? Well, its here. Its now, and all we have to do is approve it. What I am talking about? Im talking about the creation of the Natural Gas Terminal in Clatsop County.

I fully support the new LNG plant in Oregon immediately. To me, it is a win for all sides, including the environmentalists who will get long sought after funding for improvements to the Columbia River ecosystem. I believe we should push for this plant, as it will benefit Oregonians in terms of jobs, revenue, lower energy costs as well as improving the environment.

So, Ill get off my soapbox, but I want to leave you with this one last thought. Al Gores plans will further hurt our economy and our people in the short run, and probably not have an impact in the long run.

If this plan I have proposed to you today comes to fruition, along with some much needed tax cuts and incentives for small business, I believe you will see REAL short term economic improvements, including job creation and lower energy costs. In the long run, this plan will lead to no dependence on foreign oil, less funding for terrorism, and hopefully, with foreign oil funded research, some new breakthroughs that will allow us to move away from fossil fuels altogether, but in an economically feasible way.

Thank you for allowing me to put a few ideas out there tonight. I truly appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this great resistance movement and I hope you will join me.

My name is Doug Keller, and if you can hear this, you are the resistance!