Conrad gave details at a press conference to community leaders of a five point plan to help everyday North Dakota families deal with the rising price of gas.
"This is a genuine crisis that undermines the budgets of families in North Dakota, and Congress needs to take immediate action. I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Senate to develop bipartisan energy legislation," Conrad said in a news release from his press conference.
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"The time for delay is over. We need to act now," Conrad said.
Under each point in the plan are individual objectives to make each point easier to obtain. Conrad's proposal builds on provisions he included in the Energy Title of the recently passed Farm Bill and provisions he authored in his Breaking Our Long-term Dependence (BOLD) Energy Act.
Additional objectives include refinery expansion and better oversight of foreign markets and alternative vehicle standards. Those standards would require that alternative fuel vehicles, including hybrids, electric or flex fuel vehicles, make up 30 percent of vehicles produced in 2013 and 100 percent of vehicles by 2021.
Other objectives include conducting research on developing coal to liquid fuels, specifically on co-processing biomass and coal. Conrad also hopes to increase authorizations for hydrogen research and development by $2.5 billion over five years.
Conrad has a record of advocating for increased production of domestic energy resources whether they are traditional, or renewable energy sources, such as biofuels. He has also recently announced plans for a bipartisan summit to develop a plan for making sure America remains energy independent. The discussion would bring together experts on energy policy to present proposals on how America can reduce gas prices, lessen the country's dependence on foreign oil and strengthen the economy.
"Skyrocketing energy prices are putting the squeeze on middle-class families. All too many are struggling to pay for basic needs like gas and groceries," Conrad said. "More must be done to secure America's energy independence. Along with the BOLD Energy Act and the Farm Bill, this five point plan is another step in that direction."
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