Gwinnett Daily Post

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson has signed onto the Pickens plan.

Two weeks ago, the Georgia senator agreed to oilman T. Boone Pickens' energy independence pledge, agreeing to help Pickens in his campaign to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil.

"America is spending billions of dollars every month on foreign oil, money that we need to be putting into our own economy right now," Isakson said in a press release. "It is imperative that the new Congress move quickly to enact an energy plan, and I am committed to making sure that happens. This is an economic issue, and it's also a national security issue."

Earlier this year, Isakson joined a coalition calling for increased domestic oil production through offshore drilling, increased conservation, a commitment to nuclear energy and an effort to use cars fueled by something other than gasoline or diesel.

"Right now, America is importing 70 percent of its oil - Sen. Isakson understands the threat this has on our economy and national security," Pickens said. "America can no longer afford to move forward without a plan that addresses our dependence on foreign oil. I am proud to have Sen. Isakson's support and leadership as we push Congress to enact an energy plan within the first 100 days of the new administration."

During 2008, Isakson co-sponsored the Domestic Energy Production Act and the Gas Price Reduction Act, and he voted numerous times to explore oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"We have a diverse country with many assets that regionally are very different. If we're going to have standards that call on us to find renewable energy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we must promote all those sources and not narrow those sources," Isakson said.

For more information about Picken's pledge, go to www.pickensplan.com.

Camie Young can be reached via e-mail at camie.young@gwinnettdailypost.com.