The STAGE 1 Mission

American energy independence is perhaps the most critical issue of our time as it is interrelated with so many other pressing concerns: environmental degradation and global climate change; international relations and military actions present and potential; economic growth and job creation; international trade deficits and the financing of terrorist activities via petrol-dollars. Today, America imports 62% of its oil demands, from over 80 countries – double the percentage and triple the total barrels imported each year since the oil crisis of the 1970’s first spurned the calls for American energy independence. This makes the American economy and way of life extremely vulnerable to a new oil crisis. Imagine turning on the morning news show to witness:

A terrorist attack against the Saudi oil fields
The sinking of a ship in the Persian Gulf Strait of Hormuz
A hurricane decimating refinery capabilities
An embargo by an oil-rich country hostile to American interests
Civil war in an oil-producing country
The nationalizing of the oil industry by a rogue dictatorial regime

These scenarios are not just possible, but likely.

Add the threat of global climate change due to the continued burning of non-renewable fossil fuels, the increased demands on world oils supplies with the expanding economies of India and China, and the inevitability that oil is a finite resource. More than ever, American energy independence through clean renewable resources isn’t just a good idea…it’s imperative. It’s time to start the quest for independence…it’s time for stage 1.

The STAGE 1 mission is to Stop Taxing American Grown Energy.

Currently, the Federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon and state gas taxes ranging from 8 cents to 32 cents per gallon do not make a distinction between polluting imported oil and clean domestically grown alternative fuels such as E-85 ethanol and B-85 bio-diesel. STAGE1 seeks to remove these taxes on E-85 and B-85 through direct lobbying of Congress and State Legislatures, through citizen initiative ballot measures giving the voters a chance to remove these taxes and through the education and mobilization of concerned citizens.

STAGE 1 believes promoting energy independence can only be successful by developing a consumer market for renewable American grown energy. If the consumer does not want a product, no amount of subsidy for producers will make a difference. Just ask the former Soviet central planners. But if the consumer clamors for a product, there’s no stopping them. Just ask police officers fighting the drug war.

The best way to jump-start this consumer demand is by eliminating the taxes on American grown energy that are the most transparent to the consumer – the at-the-pump gas taxes currently collected on E-85 ethanol and B-85 bio-diesel. When American drivers can ask gas station attendants, “Which pump do I use to not pay the gas tax,” the market for American grown energy will be on its way.

It will take more than ending the tax on American grown energy to bring about energy independence. There will be many stages in this quest – but the quickest and smartest first stage toward energy independence is to Stop Taxing American Grown Energy at-the-pump.

It’s STAGE 1.