Romney says he wants country to be energy self-sufficient

MERRIMACK, N.H. – Saying it is bad for the country’s economy and foreign policy to buy energy from foreign countries, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney hinted at an energy plan that would make the United States energy self-sufficient.

Speaking at GT Solar, a New Hampshire company that produces components for solar panels, Romney said he will unveil an energy policy that would have the US produce as much energy as it currently uses.

“It doesn’t make sense for a lot of people for our nation to send hundreds of billions of dollars to nations that don’t like us,” said Romney.

Romney suggested harnessing all energy possibilities -- from wind and solar power, to bioenergy, to drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Reserve in Alaska.

Achieving energy self-sufficiency could take 20 or 30 years, he said.

Romney said he favored giving incentives to industry rather than relying on the “heavy hand of government” to impose mandates.

His full energy plan will be released later this year.