Tom Ridge, president and CEO of Ridge Global and former secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, delivered the third annual Chesapeake Energy Lecture at the University of Tulsa’s College of Law, hosted by the National Energy Policy Institute.
The former governor Pennsylvania emphasized the need for America to develop an all-in, practical and clean energy policy as a means to achieve the country’s independence from foreign oil.
“If clean energy security is going to be made a reality, we must make it a priority,” said Ridge. “Security is never an option, or you have no security at all.”
Ridge recalled the scene immediate after 9/11 when congressional members united on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and sang “God Bless America,” signaling that our country would meet this newest form of terrorism with swift and serious action.
“We have to be just as brave and have the same sense of urgency,” Ridge said of energy security.
Ridge spoke before members of the energy industry and national, state and local energy policy advocates.