As gasoline prices continue to rise, the search for alternative energy sources is inevitable. Our dependency on foreign countries for oil has placed the United States in a vulnerable position. In order to remedy this problem, we must examine alternative sources that will wean us from dependency on foreign oil and establish a new level of independence by using the natural resources here in America.

Here is why we need to consider alternative energy sources.

In 1973, the Organization of Arab Exporting Countries (OAPEC) imposed an oil embargo on the United States, the Netherlands and Canada, and reduced production. While some Arab crude oil did reach the United States, the price of imported crude oil rose from roughly $4 a barrel during the last quarter of 1973 to an average price of $12.50 a barrel in 1974. Eight of the nine post-World War II recessions were preceded by or accompanied with sharp increases in the price of oil. The last four recessions followed this pattern. The 1973-1975 recession followed the oil embargo; the double-dip recession of 1980-1982 followed the second oil shock, which was caused by the Iranian revolution and Iran-Iraq war; the 1990-1991 recession followed the oil-price spike induced by the Gulf War; and the 2001 recession followed a sharp rise in oil prices from 1999 to 2000.

Here we are in 2006 facing the same energy crisis. We must find ways to use the natural resources in America to rid us of foreign oil control.

Congress is attempting to address the energy crisis through legislative action. For nearly three decades, environmental extremists and their liberal allies in Congress have fought to halt production of all forms of energy.

The answer to our energy crisis is in our own backyard.

Offshore drilling can provide immediate relief to our energy crisis. This process will not only generate a sufficient supply of natural gas, it also will produce the much needed revenue to our coastal states for roads, bridges and beach renourishment.

I am supporting two bills in Congress to allow offshore drilling of natural gas and oil. The first is the Domestic Energy Production through Offshore Exploration and Equitable Treatment of State Holdings Act, which allows states to opt out of participating in the offshore exploration, but for those that choose to do so, they can explore within 125 miles of the coastline. The next is the Outer Continental Shelf Natural Gas Relief Act, which repeals the congressional moratorium and presidential withdrawal on natural gas leasing on the entire outer continental shelf up to 20 miles offshore and provides states with 40 percent of revenue shared from bonus bids and royalties from any natural gas leasing off their coasts. Although the moratorium was extended for another year, I will continue to fight for this measure in Congress.

Currently many progressive countries such as Canada, Sweden, Norway and Australia are drilling off their coasts for natural gas and they are doing it in a manner that is clean, efficient and safe. The results from offshore drilling would provide 50 years of gas supply and could generate more than $240 billion in revenue for coastal states.

Another effective solution to our energy crisis is drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)

ANWR holds the single largest deposit of oil in the entire United States. Its 10.4 billion barrels of oil are more than double the proven reserves of the entire state of Texas and almost half the total proven reserves in the U.S. (22 billion barrels). To put it more simply, opening ANWR could increase U.S. reserves by nearly 50 percent.

We also should turn to nuclear energy.

President Bush has called for an expansion of nuclear power. I strongly support the president on this initiative. I am a proud member of the Congressional Nuclear Caucus. Nuclear power is one of the cleanest, safest and environmentally friendly alternatives to oil.

Significant incentives for new commercial reactors are included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which I voted for and was signed by the president on Aug. 8, 2005. These include production tax credits, loan guarantees and insurance against regulatory delays. I am proud that South Carolina has become a model for the rest of the nation on how nuclear energy can be incorporated as a safe, clean, reliable source of energy.

Among new technologies are hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid vehicles

I am encouraged by the progress that is happening in South Carolina on research and development of hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid vehicles. I was proud to be a co-sponsor of the "H-Prize Act" of 2006 which was introduced by Rep. Bob Inglis, R-S.C. The "H-Prize Act" of 2006 directs the secretary of energy to award competitive cash prizes biennially to advance the research, development, demonstration and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies.

I have had the opportunity to test drive both the General Motors' Hydrogen3 vehicle and the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle. Both are passenger cars. One can be fitted with an environmentally compatible, resource-saving, fuel-cell propulsion system which takes the hybrid vehicles to the next level. The other is the latest plug-in hybrid vehicle that uses larger batteries with a 30-mile electric driving range that supplements its gasoline range. The vehicle averages 100 miles per gallon. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus and House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus to promote hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid vehicles.

These are all workable solutions to our energy problems. We just need more people looking for natural resources in their own backyard.

Henry E. Brown Jr. represents South Carolina's 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives.