More than 100 people attended a discussion of U.S. oil policy in Montgomery County that featured Congressmen Jim Gerlach and Mike Fitzpatrick and Dr. Gal Luft of Set America Free.

The event was sponsored by local chambers of commerce and environmental groups.

Former PA State Representative Ellen M. Bard, who moderated the event stated, “Because of the urgent need to reduce our vulnerability to foreign oil disruptions, terrorist activity, trade deficits and gasoline price escalation, Set America Free and our forum, today, examine a new U.S. oil policy that encourages real alternatives that will make a difference now. Because most oil is used in vehicles, the key target is the transportation sector.”

Set America Free believes that there is no time to wait for the commercialization of technologies that are still at the research and development phase. The coalition believes the U.S. should implement technologies that simply need a push to enter the mass market. Technologies central to the Set America Free Blueprint for Energy Security are biofuels and hybrid vehicles as described at the group’s website.

A Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicle was on display at the forum for attendees to see. Hybrid electric vehicles use conventional unleaded gasoline but get two to three times the mileage per gallon versus the average conventional vehicle. If the fuel used to power the hybrid were a biofuel like ethanol or biodiesel mixed with small amounts of petroleum fuel, or if gas-optional plug-in-at-home hybrids were brought to market, the actual performance of a hybrid vehicle could reach 500 miles per gallon of gasoline, as anticipated by Set America Free.

Luft noted that America’s relations with countries that own most of the world’s oil reserves are at an all time low. “If you look at every global conflict we have faced in the past, there was always a technological component. We always had technology as a game changer. And this conflict calls for one as well.”

The coalition has called upon the American public and its representatives and shapers of public opinion to endorse the Set America Free plan and put energy security at the top of the national agenda. Deron Lovaas of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has already responded to the call along with other opinion leaders, such as Gary L. Bauer, President, American Values, Frank Gaffney, Center for Security Policy, Bracken Hendricks, Apollo Alliance, Hon. Robert C. McFarlane, Former National Security Advisor, Daniel Pipes, Middle East Forum, Professor Richard E. Smalley, 1996 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Admiral James D. Watkins, Former U.S. Secretary of Energy, and Hon. R. James Woolsey, Former director of the CIA and Co-Chairman, Committee on the Present Danger.

In his remarks at the forum, Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick stated, “We need a balanced energy policy that releases us from our dependence on oil and embraces new and emerging fuel technologies that not only release ourselves from the grip of foreign oil but advance environmental stewardship. I am honored to be able to take part in this important discussion and I am sure that this event, and the proposals discussed by Gal Luft, will undoubtedly move the public debate forward.”

True to its mission to bring a wide range of people together, the forum drew attendees from Washington, D.C., Harrisburg and Doylestown. The event was sponsored by Earthright and co-sponsored by the Suburban Horsham-Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce, the Glenside Chamber of Commerce, the Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Briar Bush Nature Center, Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, Bryner Chevrolet, Inc., Caddick Construction, Co., Inc., Franklin Fuel Cells, Inc., and Worley and Obetz, Inc.

Bard said, “We’re very pleased with the turn-out and appreciate the hospitality of Upper Moreland Township and the attention of Congressman Gerlach, Congressman Fitzpatrick and Dr. Luft. This important discussion today looked at alternatives to U.S. dependency. Current technology offers efficiency and fuel alternatives that can safeguard the future health of our economy, our society and the environment we leave our children and grandchildren.”

5/13/2005