WirePOLITICS: Fitzpatrick addresses energy concerns in State of the Nation speech

By Tom Waring
Wire Staff Writer

U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8th dist.) pushed for a national energy strategy that strengthens the American economy in his annual “State of the Nation” speech to the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce.

The event took place at Spring Mill Country Club in Ivyland.

“People are seeing and feeling the benefits of an American commitment to becoming an energy superpower. Expanded and advanced energy exploration, new technologies and the impact of our nation’s abundant natural gas resources have worked in tandem to facilitate the drop in fuel prices,” Fitzpatrick said. “We know that as fuel costs fall, so too does the price at the pump and the price at the checkout counter — good news for American families looking to keep more of what they earn after years of dealing with a sluggish economy.”

The remarks, delivered to more than 150 business and community leaders, centered on the role of American energy in supporting the resurgence of the U.S. manufacturing sector, as well as the need for strengthening energy infrastructure.

“While cutting the cost of operating a business can come in many forms — from rolling back burdensome regulations that stifle innovation, to ensuring workers are trained for the jobs of today — one of the biggest costs we can tackle is fighting to keep the cost of energy low,” Fitzpatrick said. “With our state’s resources, we can continue to drive down the cost of fueling these operations, shipping their goods and passing along the price to consumers. But this must be a bipartisan commitment at the local, state and federal levels.”

Additionally, Fitzpatrick discussed his support for the Partnership to Build America Act, legislation aimed at utilizing repatriated corporate earnings to fund $750 billion in infrastructure investment. The measure is similar to to tax reform plans outlined by the White House.

“We appreciate Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick taking time from his busy schedule to meet with the Chamber and the region’s business leaders to discuss the ‘State of the Nation,’” said Dr. Vail P. Garvin, president and CEO of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce.

Also addressing the Chamber with Fitzpatrick was Ardy Wurtzel, research associate with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, who gave an outlook on economic conditions across the Philadelphia area. After the program, Fitzpatrick and Wurtzel fielded questions from the crowd on several issues.

The Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce consists of about 2,000 members representing small, medium and large businesses across Bucks County.

Fitzpatrick is serving his fourth term in the House of Representatives. The 8th Congressional District includes all of Bucks County and a portion of Montgomery County.

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Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick released a statement last week regarding President Barack Obama’s veto of bipartisan legislation approving the Keystone XL Pipeline and the 42,000 jobs it would create and support.

The congressman called the veto “another disappointing, yet unsurprising, move by a White House which talks a good game about ‘working together’ and ‘looking for common ground’ but fails to back it up with action.”

“Instead of signing this bipartisan legislation into law and beginning to work with Congress to embrace an all-of-the-above energy strategy that empowers American families and businesses, the president has decided to play the worst kind of politics and capitulate to a small group of partisan activists and big money donors,” Fitzpatrick said. “The United States is positioned to be an energy superpower with a diverse energy portfolio. But we can’t get to the business of declaring energy independence if Washington is going to stand in the way of moving toward a safe, responsible, inclusive energy plan.”

The United States is home to more than 2.5 million miles of pipeline. The Keystone XL Pipeline is supported by both labor and business organizations ranging from the International Brotherhood of Operating Engineers to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In describing his support for the project, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently noted, “It’s very clear that is in the economic job creation interests of both of our countries, in the energy security interests of North America and a critical step in environmental protection than the alternatives.”