WASHINGTON, DC -- With gas prices rising at an alarming rate and tensions in the Middle East causing prices to increase even further, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today joined his colleagues in the Senate in sending a letter to Senator Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) to urge him to have the Senate consider legislation to take positive steps to reduce Americas dependence on foreign oil and reduce energy prices. Two years ago the U.S. Senate passed energy legislation that provided virtually no relief to Americans in the face of ever-increasing energy costs, while at the same time providing energy companies with huge corporate giveaways and subsidies, Reed stated. These policies have done nothing to help our country achieve independence from foreign oil and have translated into skyrocketing prices at the pump.Reed continued, Since passage of this inefficient and costly energy legislation, nearly 100 energy-related bills and amendments have been proposed to make real changes to the United States energy policy and to end our nations addiction to oil. The nation needs policies that promote renewable energy and energy conservation and efficiency. We cannot drill our way to energy independence. It is time that the Senate Majority Leader allows a full and open debate so the Senate can consider these important measures to finally address Americas energy needs.The letter outlined several steps that the Senate should take to create real energy solutions for our country including setting a firm goal to reduce our overall dependence on foreign oil by 40 percent by 2020 through increasing fuel efficiency standards for automobiles, requiring the United States federal governmentthe nations single largest energy consumerto adopt fuel efficient vehicle technologies, and increasing incentives for manufacturers and consumers to develop and use renewable and energy efficient technologies. In the short term, the letter urges Senator Frist to allow the Senate to consider measures that will ensure that the American people are protected from price gouging at the pump.Energy prices have been steadily increasing under the Bush Administration and the events taking place in Middle East will only exacerbate this problem. The financial strains caused by these record high prices are hurting workers and our economy in Rhode Island and nationwide, said Reed. Travel costs, tourism costs, shipping costs, and even food costs are adversely affected by high fuel prices. The Administration must act more aggressively to help ease the burden facing our nation. The Administration has failed to come up with a comprehensive energy policy to ensure that consumers are not vulnerable to tremendous swings in prices. We need comprehensive energy legislation that truly helps Americans reduce dependence on Middle East oil, said Reed.Text of the letter follows:Dear Majority Leader Frist: Energy prices continue to be of great concern to Americans -- record fuel prices and growing supply volatility and unreliability are hurting consumers and the economy. Substantial and comprehensive changes to the nations energy policy continue to be needed to improve our national security, promote economic growth, and protect consumers and the environment. As you may be aware, approximately 100 energy-related bills and amendments have been introduced in the Senate since passage of last years energy bill, by Senators of both parties. These include a number of significant proposals to improve the nations energy policy that have been sponsored by numerous members of our caucus (for example, S.2829, the Clean EDGE Act of 2006), as well as a number of groundbreaking bipartisan proposals (for example, S.2025, the Vehicles and Fuels Choices for American Security Act, S.2747, the Enhanced Energy Security Act of 2006, or S.2677, the Securing Americas Energy Independence Act). As many of us noted in a letter to the President on May 17, 2006, we are eager to work to increase Americas energy security and independence. The Senate can still accomplish significant energy policy changes this year, if it avoids getting bogged down in lengthy, unproductive debates on divisive issues, such as rolling back the environmental standards that protect the air we breathe and the water we drink.  We believe this effort should begin with a set of core principles that can help America achieve forward-looking energy goals, and that can be embraced by Senators in both parties. We think that the following points summarize those core principles, and we stand ready to work with you to pass legislation that would reflect these principles:" The Senate should take as its starting point the setting of a firm and actionable national goal to reduce our overall national dependence on petroleum, coupled with a serious strategy for achieving this goal. We believe that the President correctly observed last January that America is addicted to oil, and that we need to work both to diversify our supplies of liquid fuels as well as to promote strong efficiency gains in our uses of petroleum, across the U.S. economy. Our suggested goal would be to reduce our dependence on petroleum by an amount equivalent to 40 percent of our projected level of imports by 2020. " As part of reducing our national dependence on petroleum, the United States must launch an aggressive effort designed to ensure that an increasing number of new vehicles sold in America can run on alternative fuels, starting with 25 percent in 2010. In order for this to make a real difference in reducing our dependence on oil, this effort must be paired with a bold initiative to make smart investments in American infrastructure and promote real competition at the gas pump. " The United States governmentour nations single largest energy consumermust help lead the transition to lower petroleum dependence, by adopting the best available fuel efficiency and alternative vehicle technologies. The federal fleet should reduce its petroleum consumption by 20 percent over the next five years, and save at least 40 percent by 2020. " In the nearer term, the United States must ensure that our consumers are protected from gasoline price gouging and energy market manipulation.  Numerous bills have been introduced on this topic it is time for them to be acted upon." The United States must level the playing field for new renewable and energy efficiency technologies. We can provide incentives for consumers and manufacturers to accelerate the market for these technologies and the next generation of fuel efficient vehicles, by ensuring major oil companies pay their fair share in taxes and royalties owed to the American public." The United States must recognize that our future energy policy and climate policy are inextricably linked. The United States must start taking steps to curb greenhouse gas emissions in any new energy bill, including diversifying sources of electric generation to include a greater percentage of renewable resources. Proposals for increased use of alternative fuels must also reflect an assessment of the total systems greenhouse gas impact of producing and using those fuels." Finally, new energy proposals that affect spending or revenues must be fiscally responsible and take into account the true long-term impact of those proposals.We believe all of these goals can be achieved in a way that makes energy more affordable and reliable for Americas families, farmers, and businesses. We hope that you will choose to work with us to provide all Americans with a cleaner and more secure energy future.