WE ARE ALL concerned about sky-rocketing gas prices in Nevada. Every day in May our state has hit a new all-time record high price.

In fact, Nevada's gas prices are the third highest in the nation, behind Hawaii and California.

The roller-coaster ride of gas prices threatens the fragile budgets of working families.

Energy in America is essential to the well-being of our nation and its citizens.

That's why my Democratic colleagues and I recently unveiled a new comprehensive five-point energy plan, called the Clean EDGE Act. Our plan will make America energy independent by 2020.

Forty-three of my Democratic colleagues and I sent a letter to President Bush asking him to join Democrats in support of the Clean EDGE Act. If we work together, we can break America's dependence on foreign oil.

The Clean EDGE Act calls for a major investment in the research, development, and production of the alternative energy vehicles, fuels, and technologies that will break our nation's addiction to foreign oil. The bill will launch an aggressive effort to increase the number of alternative fuel vehicles sold; protect consumers from gas price gouging and market manipulation; reduce our dependence on fossil fuels; put the federal government in the lead in reducing our dependence on foreign oil; and level the playing field for new renewable and energy efficient technologies.

The Clean EDGE Act is a major step forward on America's path to energy independence.

I believe these five principles reflect significant steps that we can take to put Nevada—and all of America—on the path toward greater energy security. By relying on American ingenuity and investing in our nation's workforce and infrastructure, we can curb the tremendous volatility in energy prices that is draining family budgets today, and looms as a growing threat to our national security and international competitiveness tomorrow.

I will continue to do all I can to make sure Nevada is energy independent by 2020.