A Weekly e-Newsletter from
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

June 6, 2008

Dear Friends,

This week, the Senate began debate on the Lieberman-Warner climate change bill.  Unfortunately, the bill fails to address the development of all renewable energy resources, especially nuclear energy, as part of the solution.  On Tuesday, I spoke on the floor of the Senate to criticize this legislation, which would cap emissions of greenhouse gases.  I believe it is in America’s environmental and geopolitical interest to reduce carbon emissions, and I believe it is important to address the carbon issue in the context of promoting all sources of renewable energy. The United States cannot reduce carbon levels without reducing the burning of fossil fuels, and it cannot do that without expanding nuclear energy.

It is time to put our biases aside.  There is a known solution where we can reduce carbon, expand energy availability and reduce costs, and that is nuclear energy, which is a clean, efficient, economical alternative fuel and we ought to embrace it.  We should act now and we should act boldly to see to it that while we work for the best interest of the environment, we work for the best interest of our citizens, who are paying more for gas and every than ever before and there is no end in sight.

I introduced an amendment to provide incentives for pursuing the development of nuclear energy in the United States. I also introduced an amendment promoting conservation easements that would provide tax credits for private landowners who agree to keep their land undeveloped. Unfortunately, the Senate Majority Leader has refused to allow a vote on my amendments or any other amendments. 

We need to be serious as members of the Senate and as members of the most deliberative body in the world to make sure that every option is on the table when it comes to reducing carbon emissions and expanding our energy resources.   For me, that means expanding conservation easements for better sequestering of carbon naturally and also empowering nuclear energy so that the one source of reliable, safe, carbonless energy that we know today is empowered for the 21st century.

Academy Appointees
This week, I was proud toannounce that 30 Georgia students whom I nominated to the United States military academies have now received appointments to the prestigious schools. The annual nomination of young people to our nation’s military academies is the responsibility of each Member of Congress. Those nominees who are accepted into the academies are awarded full four-year scholarships, which are valued at approximately $350,000 each and include tuition, books, board, medical and dental care.  Since my election to Congress in 1999, nearly 200 of my nominees have been accepted into U.S. military academies. 

One of my favorite tasks each year is to nominate promising young leaders to our nation’s military academies. I know this year’s appointees will make Georgia and America proud. I plan to host a reception for the students and their families this Sunday in Atlanta. Click here for a list of my nominees who have been accepted by the Academies. 

Recess Recap
During the Memorial Day recess, I took the opportunity to visit several cities in n ortheast and n orthwest Georgia, including Dalton, Elberton, Hartwell, Lexington, Monroe and Rome.  I had the opportunity to hear a great deal from you, and I can assure you that your concerns have been relayed this week through my votes on the climate change legislation, my speech on the Senate floor and will be heard by my colleagues and President Bush in the weeks to come.  Your input is invaluable to me and I appreciate each of you who took the time to come speak with me and my staff.  In Rome, I addressed Memorial Day, gas prices, the war in Iraq and the housing market.  You can read my speech by clicking here.

Feedback
I enjoy hearing from you regularly.  In order to keep in touch while I am in Washington, D.C., my field staff in Georgia regularly conducts ‘Open Office Days’ at locations around the state. I encourage you to talk with these liaisons about any issues concerning the federal government, federal legislation or federal agencies, such as Veterans Affairs, the IRS, Medicare, or the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.  To find out when a representative will be near you, click here.

In addition, any time you have comments for me in response to this newsletter or any federal issue, please c ontact my office at (202) 224-3643 in Washington, D.C., in Atlanta at (770) 661-0999 or through my website at: www.isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm.  These avenues of communication allow us to assist you as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

The Senate is expected to debate energy and tax legislation.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson