America Must Remain World’s Leader in Energy Development

In case you missed it, I recently wrote a column in the Savannah Morning News about my thoughts on American energy production, climate change and my decision to join the Select Committee on Climate Change.

America Must Remain World’s Leader in Energy Development

Since President Donald Trump took office, he has worked to make America great and put America first. I’ve been right there with him working every day to make sure America stays the world leader.

One important example of America’s leadership has been our groundbreaking coal, oil and gas development. Now, we have a new opportunity to lead the world in the next generation of energy production.

I believe in an all-of-the-above energy policy. I still have scars from my time in the Georgia General Assembly when I fought for solar energy. I did this because I believe new, innovative energy production makes America safer and more independent.

Unfortunately, other countries are now on our tail. According to the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development’s 2018 energy statistics, the United States continues to lag behind China in production and development of renewable energy sources. Projections by the International Energy Agency show that between 36 to 40 percent of the world’s growth in traditional renewables, like wind and solar, will be from China in the next five years.

America has the smartest and brightest scientific minds in the world. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t stay the leader of innovation in this field.

As the representative of the entire coast of Georgia, the need for clean energy is especially important to me. We must do all that we can to prepare ourselves and our communities for extreme weather and address why storms are getting more frequent and more intense.

I understand that opinions across the state and country differ about climate change or its impact on severe weather. I meet with Georgians nearly every day and I hear differing opinions on climate change and its cause. I believe climate change is real and industrial activity is a contributing factor.

While we may disagree on this, a few things I do believe most of us agree on are supporting innovation, American jobs, weather preparedness, putting America first and a strong economy.

That is why I recently joined the Select Committee on Climate Change in the United States House of Representatives. I want to use my position to create solutions to address climate change that are realistic and market-based while ensuring we stay ahead of China.

Today, many proposals coming out of Congress are the exact opposite. Proposals like the Green New Deal are expensive and unrealistic. The Green New Deal is a pie in the sky proposal and government overreach at its finest. It will harm the economy and has been estimated to cost an outrageous $93 trillion. And while this is being labeled as a solution for climate change, it includes other extreme policies like government-run health care. An issue this important deserves a plan that directly focuses on the problem itself, not the whole kitchen sink.

The last thing we need are more regulations that impede innovation. Clean air and environmental protection does not need to come at the expense of our economy or American jobs.

Instead, on the Select Committee, I plan to work on realistic solutions for all Americans. We need to create and incentivize new technology and infrastructure in the most efficient and affordable ways possible and in a way that creates new American jobs and keeps America ahead. This can be done through American grit, ingenuity and hard work; all principles that have helped to develop our country into the great nation it is today.

If we have a choice between two sources of energy that are both equally affordable, but one won’t contribute to storms and doesn’t pollute our lungs or beautiful environment in our state, that’s an easy choice for me.

America needs to remain the leader we always have been.

Climate change is real and the need to protect our environment is real. I am committed to working to find solutions that will ensure our children and grandchildren will have the same opportunities to enjoy the beauty of our great state just as we have.

Click here to see my column in the Savannah Morning News.

From our Nation's Capitol CCVIII

Tuesday, April 23, 2019: I am in Atlanta this morning as I am speaking today at the eighth annual Prescription Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit that was founded by Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) in 2012. This is the nation’s largest meeting addressing the opioid epidemic and this year has brought together over 3,500 people to discuss what has become a national epidemic. Deaths in the United States due to opioid addiction now average over 100 per day and in 2015 almost 1 million prime-age individuals were not in the labor force due to opioids. Between 1999 and 2015, the decline in labor force participation cumulatively cost the economy 12.1 billion work hours slowing the real annual economic growth rate by 0.2 percentage points and costing $702.1 billion in real output. Over the past 3 years the average age that Americans are living has decreased for the first time in history as a result of the opioid epidemic. In my speech I reviewed the work that we have done in the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee that I serve on in Congress to fight this epidemic including the Support Act that passed last year and signed into law by the President.

Rep. Carter speaking at the 2019 Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit (Credit: Pierce Harman Photography for Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit)

The Support Act included 57 bills that were passed out of the E&C Committee including three bills that I was the lead sponsor on. These bills included initiatives for treatment and recovery, prevention, protecting communities and fighting fentanyl. My speech also included a glimpse into what we can expect from the E&C Committee in the future on this subject including oversight of implementation and following up on investigations. After my speech I meet with Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health, and Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, to discuss the programs that they are spearheading. Next, I meet with Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the current Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to discuss the CDC’s work in curbing the opioid crisis. After a radio interview with Georgia Public Broadcasting to discuss the summit and how the opioid epidemic is impacting our state, I meet with representatives from Braeburn Pharmaceuticals to discuss an opioid use disorder treatment option that they have developed.

Rep. Carter at a radio interview with Georgia Public Broadcasting

Although I am only in Atlanta today, the summit continues for the next few days with more guest speakers including President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019: I’m back in the district this morning and my first stop is in Pooler where I visit G-force Manufacturing, part of Goodwill Industries that produces aerospace products. I am honored this morning to receive the Goodwill National Policymaker Award that is presented to only 11 of the 535 members of Congress in recognition of my support of Goodwill’s public policy and legislative agenda, including criminal justice reform and workforce development.

Rep. Carter receiving the Goodwill National Policymaker Award

Afterwards, I head to our Savannah office where I meet with Keith Fletcher of Savannah to discuss the Savannah Logistics Technology Corridor (SLTC) project that he is spearheading. SLTC is an economic development tool to grow and encourage investment in high-tech industries in Georgia and recently received funding from the State of Georgia for their continued work. Next, I head to the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) on Hutchinson Island to speak to the Coastal Plains Coalition, a group of stakeholders throughout the Coastal region of Georgia who share common interests in development issues in the area. Afterwards, I head to Savannah Technical College to visit the film academy and witness the fine work being done in this growing area. I am fortunate today to be able to observe a set production of a car scene where, with the help of lighting and special effects, the scene is filmed in a stationary car that comes across in the scene to be moving at night. This massive undertaking is a definite team effort with about 15 people assisting on the set.

Rep. Carter visiting the film academy at Savannah Technical College

Afterwards, I head to the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport where I meet with Airport Executive Director Greg Kelly who shares with me news of the steady growth the airport has experienced in recent years and the plans for expansion of the airport. We also have the opportunity to see the new runway being constructed that is being funded by a federal grant our office assisted the airport authority in securing. My final stop of the day is a real treat as I visit BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a sacred Hindu place of worship in Southside Savannah. The Mandir represents the earthly home of Bhagwan, where one can visit to quiet the mind and experience spirituality.

Rep. Carter at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

After being greeted by members of the Mandri and seeing a presentation on this Mandri and others around the world, I have the opportunity to address the group and bring them up to date on my activities in Washington. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and found the people here to be some of the most welcoming folks I have ever met.

Thursday, April 25, 2019: I am honored this morning to speak to the Greater Savannah Coalition on Aging at their meeting at Candler Hospital. This local nonprofit organization is made up of professionals who serve the senior community in various capacities such as home care, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.

Rep. Carter speaking to the Greater Savannah Coalition on Aging

After a great meeting with this group, I head to our Savannah office before heading to Savannah Distributing Company where I am treated to a tour of the facility by my good friend Henry Monsees. Next, I head to Richmond Hill in Bryan County where I have the opportunity to speak to my good friends at the Richmond Hill Rotary Club. After bringing them up to date on important issues in Washington, I have a phone interview with The Daily Signal to discuss climate change legislation that is being proposed in Congress.

Friday, April 26, 2019: I’m in Athens this morning to visit Caterpillar Athens, a facility opened in March of 2013 that now employs around 1,600 people making mini hydraulic excavators and small track-type tractors. Located on a 250 acre campus, this facility represents a $200 million investment and, more important to us in the First District, utilizes the Port of Savannah for importing parts and exporting their final products. After a brief presentation where I learn about the factory as well as of the great community work the company is participating in, I tour the plant and see first-hand the fine craftsmanship being performed here.