U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, running for reelection for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District, answered tough questions regarding his positions on seven major science issues through the Scientists and Engineers for America’s SHARP Network.
 
The Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire is a joint effort by SEA and 18 of America’s top science and engineering organizations, representing millions of scientists, engineers and citizens around the country. 
 
When asked about meeting America’s energy demand, McHenry responded:  “Today, America finds itself at the crossroads of an energy crisis.  These problems stern from decades of failed energy policies, of cordoning off our own natural resources and relying on foreign nations hostile to the United States for more than half of our country’s oil.
 
“During this Congress I have cosponsored several pieces of legislation allowing the United States to become more energy independent.  Specifically, these bills call for the expansion of deep water oil drilling along the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), allowing development within the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), building new refineries and bringing existing ones up to date, expanding the development of coal to liquids, and researching and expanding alternative sources of energy, such as wind, solar and nuclear. 

“One day, America will be powered by alternative sources of energy – and I’m working to make that happen.  But until that day comes, we must use American resources, research and ingenuity to become more energy independent and to lower gas prices.”

McHenry’s full responses to topics from climate change to health care can be viewed at: http://sharp.sefora.org/people/house/patrick-mchenry/.

McHenry’s challenger, Daniel Johnson, has not yet responded to the questionnaire. 

Scientists and Engineers for America (SEA) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to facilitating evidence-based decision making in politics and at all levels of government.  SEA’s Board of Directors includes preeminent scientists and science policymakers, and the Board of Advisors includes nine Nobel Laureates as well as members of multiple presidential administrations and entrepreneurs.