Congressman Matheson to head Blue Dog Coaltion energy task force

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Members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced the creation of a task force today to help shape energy policy. The group's efforts will be led by Rep. Jim Matheson (UT) and Rep. John Barrow (GA), both of whom serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

"My goal is that this task force will propose energy policy that emphasizes the importance of increased domestic production," Matheson said. "It will encourage the participation of all stakeholders to achieve that outcome. Something as complicated as the climate change challenge requires a balanced and comprehensive plan. We have to get this right and the energy task force looks forward to developing policy statements that encourage the debate to move in a balanced direction."

The task force, according to a statement released by the Blue Dogs this afternoon, will aim "to drive viable, comprehensive policy solutions and alternatives" -- with national and economic security as the foremost goals.

"As President Obama said last night, renewable, clean energy is going to drive our economic recovery," Barrow said. "We're going to work hard to make sure that we act quickly, and act smart to break our dependence on foreign oil and come up with solutions that have a lasting impact on our financial security."

Other members of the task force will include: Rep. Joe Baca (CA), Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA), Rep. Dan Boren (OK), Rep. Leonard Boswell (IA), Rep. Chris Carney (PA), Rep. Jim Costa (CA), Rep. Lincoln Davis (TN), Rep. Brad Ellsworth (IN), Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (AZ), Rep. Bart Gordon (TN), Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD), Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA), Rep. Harry Mitchell (AZ), Rep. Collin Peterson (MN), Rep. John Salazar (CO) and Rep. David Scott (GA).

The group's goal is likely to drill, baby, drill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is strongly against offshore drilling in keeping with the preferences of her left-leaning coastal CA district. But moderate Blue Dogs are gearing up to lobby for the inclusion of a drilling provision in any energy plan approved by Congress and the WH. In the past they've pushed for drilling in the Artic refuge. This should be a key point of difference between Democrats as the debate over an energy package resumes.

See also Deseret News story