Along with Senator Lieberman and others, I introduced the Energy Security Bill to use existing technologies with a variety of tax incentives to reduce our dependence on oil.

Energy dependence is America's economic, environmental and security Achilles' heel.

The price hike comes as crude oil costs continue to climb on energy security woes involving Iran and Nigeria. In fact, crude oil was trading above $65 per barrel this week - a level not seen since the hurricanes of 2005.

Ethanol has reduced our nation's dependence on imported energy, created thousands of jobs, reduced air pollution, and increased energy security. And renewable fuels cost less at the pump. It is a growth fuel that fuels opportunities for millions of Americans.

Energy security is top of the agenda for oil-importing nations, efforts are made to diversify the source of oil supplies and build strategic petroleum reserves.

American dependence on foreign oil threatens our national security,