With both political parties now positioning themselves as the agents of "change" in Washington, D.C., it would be nice to actually see some.
Congress could start by stop shooting itself — and the country — in the collective foot by approving legislation to continue the tax credit program that has created a boom in wind and solar energy projects.
It is a boom in danger of being derailed by political infighting that prevents a clean vote on the program.
It also provides a lesson in "control" of Congress. The reality is that control of the Senate requires 61 votes. No party that can't muster that many votes is really in control, and the Democrats currently do not have 61 votes without Republican support.
At the moment, a bipartisan group of senators — eight Democrats and eight Republicans — is bucking the leadership on both sides of the aisle to push a compromise that would renew the tax credits while also allowing limited expansion of offshore drilling (which should not include the Gulf Coast of Florida).
The two ought not to be tied together, and Republicans are to blame for risking continuing advances in wind and solar in an effort to force more drilling. One should not depend on the other.
But the stakes are too high to allow partisan gridlock to derail needed advances in wind and solar.
These projects not only will help produce the energy to help wean us from foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they also create jobs and drive advances in energy technology.
As oil reserves dwindle, it should be obvious that future economic power will accrue to those nations that lead in the production of alternative energy. It is the new economic frontier, and if the United States doesn't lead, someone else will.
Some Democrats oppose the proposed compromise because they don't want to allow any expansion of offshore drilling; some Republicans oppose it because they don't want any limits.
The Democrats could call the Republicans' bluff and let them risk taking the blame for hampering development of wind and solar energy. But given their lousy record on energy independence, the Republicans might be dumb enough to do it.
It's time for both sides to get off their duffs and do something positive to keep the United States at the forefront of alternative energy.
The Pensacola News Journal
