Heck’s energy efforts are crucial

By James Dozier, Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Congressman Joe Heck deserves to be commended for his recent decision to join 11 other conservative and moderate Republican members of Congress to create the House Republican Energy, Innovation and Environmental Working Group. For too long, Republicans have ceded energy and environmental issues to the Democrats, but it’s clear that Heck and this working group understand the value of uniting common-sense, pro-business policies with clean-energy reform and environmental conservation.

Upon joining the group, Heck said, “To maintain our economic and national security, we must maximize all of our nation’s energy resources — including renewable sources, alternative fuels and fossil fuels — all in a way that balances economic development while protecting our environment. Nevada is poised to lead the nation in the production of renewable energy sources like solar and geothermal, which will help get people back to work and improve our economy. As a nation we must be committed to achieving energy independence, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue to advance policies that boost production, lower energy prices and expand job opportunities.”

These longtime Republican allies recognize the role innovation and the free market play in developing new technologies that will create jobs and protect our air and water. The efforts of Heck and the rest of the working group are crucial to usher in a new era of clean-energy technology that will strengthen America’s national security, bolster our economy and help achieve energy independence in the 21st century.

The writer is executive director for Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions