Barrasso questions renewable energy effort

WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said Saturday renewable energy efforts such as solar and wind power do not produce enough energy for U.S. consumers.

Speaking during the weekly Republican address, Barrasso instead urged for an increased focus on energy resources such as oil as part of an effort to avoid energy cost increases for U.S. families, The Hill said.

"We need to make America's energy as clean as we can, as fast as we can, without raising energy prices for American families," Barrasso said.

"We need more energy," the Wyoming official added. "And we need it even at times when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining."

The Republican official also said given the troubling status of the global economy, lawmakers in Washington would be better served focusing on creating new jobs for U.S. residents than pushing environmentally friendly efforts.

"Surely we have the creativity and the knowledge to use our nation's energy resources to power our country," Barraasso said during the GOP address. "And with the continued global instability, using American energy seems more important than ever before."