Energy emerges as issue in 10th

Lessening our dependence on foreign oil was again a hot topic in the 10th Congressional District, as incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk on Wednesday introduced an energy advisory board.

Comprised of about two dozen members with expertise in areas such as research, alternative fuels, vehicles, and wind and solar energy, the advisory group is part of a push for energy independence, according to Kirk.

The Highland Park Republican faces a rematch from Democratic challenger Dan Seals of Wilmette in a race that has gained national attention.

Kirk said feedback from the group will be used to push for policies to help families deal with rising costs and make inroads in producing renewable energy, alternative fuels and vehicles, and energy efficiency, for example.

"The American people already get it. You can see what's happened to auto sales and you can see what's happening with hybrid sales," Kirk said during the inaugural meeting at Siemens Building Technologies Inc. in Buffalo Grove.

Kirk says he is usually concise but his recently introduced Apollo Energy Independence Act had a lot of ground to cover.

"It took 150 pages to change all the policy necessary," to provide for a "comprehensive solution" to energy issues. The $23 billion initiative would provide market incentives in a variety of areas and dramatically reduce the consumption of foreign oil by 2030, he added.

Offshore oil exploration and nuclear energy would be part of Kirk's plan.

However, the bill has not been scheduled for debate, and Congress is in session only for three weeks next month before adjourning.

Seals also advocates a "comprehensive energy independence plan" combining short-term relief, such as tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, with long-term solutions, such as removing tax breaks to oil companies and investing them in research and development. He also favors extending tax credits for alternative energy sources and green building.

Raising mileage requirements to 35 miles per gallon by 2014 rather than 2020 as proposed, would save energy, according to Seals.

Seals has criticized Kirk, claiming the incumbent has supported big oil companies throughout his career.

Kirk counters that oil companies account for 0.07 percent of all his campaign contributions since 2001, and noted his work last summer to stop British Petroleum from polluting Lake Michigan.