Big 2 Energy Report: Railroad Commissioner Jones On Energy

We all know that the President is pushing to decrease our dependency on fossil fuels and would like to see a major decline in oil usage in the upcoming decades. But according to Texas Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones, we should expect that to happen anytime soon. "I don't see that in the near future or the midterm future or even for decades to come, " says Jones.

While the commissioner certainly believes alternative forms of energy have their place in the energy spectrum, she also doesn't see any way they can take the place of fossil fuels. "As Americans, we can't hang our hat on the fact that we're going to be fueling our economy through alternative sources and fossil fuels will still prove 75, 78 or 80 percent of our need for decades to come. "

Jones says she's addressed the President and other members of his staff, including Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), about her concerns. None of them have responded. "I think that the president and those who support his policies are attempting to acheive their agenda which is to dramatically move the country off of fossil fuels. They can't get it done through law, through statute, the process...so they go in the back door to get something done, that they can't get done any other way," says Jones.

If you'd like to see the great debate, you can check it out on Basin PBS Sept. 23 and 26.