From The Tecumseh Countywide News: Oklahoma Congresswoman Mary Fallin addressed the full floor of the House of Representatives this week, encouraging her colleagues to oppose legislation that would undermine Oklahoma's oil and gas industries and move the nation further away from energy independence. Fallin instead proposed a two-part solution, acknowledging the role that both traditional and alternative energy forms can play in our future. "The answer to America's energy crisis lies in expanding our oil and gas production in the short term, while investing in renewable energy sources in the long term," Fallin said. The legislation backed by Congressional Democrats would raise taxes on oil and gas companies in the United States, which would ultimately discourage domestic energy companies from further exploration. Fallin argued that this tax increase comes at a time when the U.S. most needs to increase production of its own energy resources. To not do so, said Fallin, would represent "both a national security threat and an economic threat to the nation." Read more... Related: Rep. Fallin's post today on the The Hill's Congress blog: "The President’s Dedication to Domestic Policy" Posted at 1/26/2007 02:11:00 PM