Another session of Congress is underway, and there are all sorts of developments in the Senate, including a new Republican majority, new committee assignments, and new chances to work together.

As a new member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I’ll have the opportunity to fight for a more secure energy future for Maine, work hard to protect its beautiful and substantial natural resources, encourage a cleaner, more focused national energy policy, and promote cooperation in changing global environments such as the Arctic region.

High energy costs, particularly in states like Maine, continue to drain people’s budgets. When I travel around our state, people tell me about the challenges they face as a result of high energy prices — from heavy machine operators who must weigh fuel costs against keeping their employees on staff, to fishermen who have to commit bigger shares of their catch just to fueling their vessels, to families forced to make the impossible choice between filling the furnace tank, putting food on the table, or a much needed visit to the doctor.

There’s no question that this is one of the biggest issues facing Maine and the nation — even with the current dip in gas prices. One of my priorities as Senator has always been to tackle high energy prices and our dependence on foreign sources. I worked to secure a seat on the Energy Committee so that Maine has a strong voice in the national energy debate, and I’m committed to finding ways to lower energy costs — while doing so with respect for the long-term health of our environment. 

We have an environmental and economic imperative to act on climate change, and as a member of the Energy Committee, I will do all that I can to move us towards cleaner energy that will power our lives without jeopardizing the future of generations to come. Maine’s coastal communities are already experiencing the mounting challenges caused by rising tides and warmer waters, and we simply cannot afford the costs of inaction.

These two goals of lowering energy costs and developing cleaner ways of energy generation aren’t mutually exclusive. I believe that, in the long term, we can use less fossil fuels and cut costs at the same time, while keeping more of our energy dollars in Maine. To do my part, I will continue working to develop the energy assets that we have in our own state, including encouraging the use of wood and other biomass for heating and electricity generation. I will also continue supporting the Maine companies that are making strides in the clean energy world, like deploying the first-grid-connected tidal turbines and offshore floating wind turbines in America and developing small wind and solar power systems, and energy storage.

In the short-term, there’s one important step we must take to lower energy costs, decrease dependence on foreign oil, and reduce carbon emissions all in one fell swoop: expanding the pipeline infrastructure for natural gas here in New England. Natural gas is a transition fuel that can help move us towards energy independence, and I hope I can work with my colleagues in Congress – and state officials – to get more natural gas access in Maine. With my new committee position, I will have a greater ability to do just that.

Unfortunately, we can’t achieve our goals overnight – it’s going to take innovation in the private sector and cooperation in the halls of Congress. With Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) at the helm, I’m confident that the Energy Committee will be a shining example of bipartisanship. Chairman Murkowski is also a champion of issues relating to the Arctic, and I look forward to working with her to harness the opportunities that are opening up in that region, while also protecting its fragile ecosystems and working to prevent further warming.

While I’ll still be serving on four other committees (Armed Services, Budget, Intelligence and Rules) I welcome this chance to represent Maine on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and my staff and I will be hard at work trying to move America’s energy policies forward.