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June 3, 2005/Iyar 25 5765, Volume 57, No. 40
Shadegg leads drive for U.S-Israel energy pact
HANK NEYER
Contributing Editor
Congressman John Shadegg is a lead sponsor of a bill that would fund joint U.S.-Israeli energy programs under the auspices of an International Energy Advisory Board.
The bill, which is in the Committee on Energy and Commerce, notes Israel's advances in energy conservation and argues that cooperation could help reduce American reliance on foreign oil.
Shadegg, a sixth-term Republican who represents Ari-zona's 3rd Congressional District, told Jewish News that both the United States and Israel "share a need for better energy sources."
"Although Israel sits in the middle of a great pool of energy, (it) lacks control over any of that."
He said the United States currently imports 58 percent of its oil - and some of the money used to pay for that oil either "directly or indirectly" provides funding for "terrorism and propaganda hostile to the values of the United States and the West."
"The longer we remain dependent upon (members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) and the longer they engage in that kind of conduct, the worse it is for us to be in an energy dependent position," he added.
The congressman noted that the "upward pressure on gas (prices) has abated slightly in the last few weeks," but has all Americans "much more focused on energy independence and energy efficiency."
According to the legislation, every dime increase in the price of a gallon of gas sends $18 billion from the United States to oil-exporting nations, and in Shadegg's words, "to no good at all."
He said the bipartisan legislation presents an opportunity for the United States and Israel to work together toward energy technology that would benefit both nations.
The IEAB would be compromised of four members - two Americans and two Israelis - and would have an annual budget of $20 million.
Two other Arizona representatives - Democrat Ed Pastor, District 4, and Republican Rick Renzi, District 1 - also have signed on to the bill.
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