First, the President should tie the shale natural gas boom to building the clean energy future by creating a dedicated tax on natural gas and oil drilling that is earmarked for a clean energy innovation trust fund.
Mitch McConnell said something very nice in the meeting about how he supports our goals on nuclear energy and clean coal technology and more drilling to increase oil production.
But he also drew cheers for a promise to seek energy independence through more oil drilling, nuclear power, clean coal, renewables, and flex fuel and hybrid cars.
The disastrous BP oil spill has raised awareness of the risk of offshore drilling, and is likely to create renewed interest in abundant and clean-burning natural gas as an alternative for many uses.
He added that other companies are working to reduce and clean up wastewater, use more benign fracking methods, and reduce air pollution related to drilling.