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Johnson: Energy can be a catalyst for growth
CANFIELD
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson has a vision that would make energy independence the nation’s focus and the spur for economic development.
Energy can become something business, government and academia can rally around to generate development, said Johnson, of Marietta , R-6th.
This would look like the 1960s when the space program served as a national initiative and caused significant technological development, he said.
“That period was probably the most innovative period of American history,” Johnson added.
He was the speaker Thursday at a luncheon hosted by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Government Affairs Council at A La Carte Catering in Canfield. The focus of his talk was how energy can affect the future of manufacturing.
“Energy is the industry best prepared to create jobs and promote American products and innovation,” Johnson said.
It’s amazing how much could be accomplished if the goal were to have the United States be “energy independent and secure by 2020,” he said.
Energy expansion must include all potential types — coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear and renewable forms, Johnson said. Wind and solar alone cannot meet the nation’s energy needs.
New technology has allowed access to vast amounts of oil and gas that weren’t available before, he said.
“This cheaper energy is going to spur manufacturing,” Johnson said, adding that jobs will be created and additional products made in this area.
“The issue is we need to make energy independence and security important to people at their conversations at their dining-room tables,” Johnson said.
The public needs to understand how employers will be able to pay workers more if the energy they use to create products costs less, and that consumer goods will cost less if companies can produce them cheaper, he said.
Individuals and businesses need to be provided with the opportunities and tools they need to be successful, Johnson said.
Johnson has created a vision for energy and how it can develop in the long term, said Tom Humphries, president and CEO of the regional chamber.
“I think we all can embrace and support it,” Humphries said.