We must shift the energy policy debate in America with an increased focus on alternative and renewable fuels and Congress must pass meaningful alternative fuels and incentive programs to help move the U.S. away from dependence on foreign oil.

By encouraging renewable energy sources such as wind energy, we boost South Dakota's economy and we help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.

The more we focus on using renewable fuels, the less we are dependent upon foreign oil.

If oil companies were to invest their high profits into alternative fuel research it will help America move toward new forms of energy.

With all the rhetoric on America's dependence on foreign oil, we ought to be making a commitment to energy-efficient technologies, just as we made a commitment to land a man on the moon.

But reducing harmful emissions, abating our dependence on foreign oil and developing alternative renewable energy sources have benefits that go beyond environmental health, they improve personal health, enhance national security and encourage our nation's economic viability.