I wrote my US Senators several months ago with this proposal. The US energy sector has been abused and has lost all credibility with US citizens. To stand by and let private individuals dictate how and gas are sold to Americans while simultaneously allowing them to corrupt our political process is wrong and is a recipe for disaster. The harm done thus far will take decades to fix.

When this administration is out of office I anticipate you will see one of the largest criminal investigations in US history. At this point there are not enough US attorneys to chase down all of the crooks...most of whom are from Texas.

What should the architecture of this new US Energy Department look like? Well it doesn't take a rocket scientist to hammer out something that is better than what we have now. Below are some of the basic elements:

1. Oil and gas refineries will be nationalized and staffed by qualified private contractors.

2. An independent, bipartisan US Energy committee shall provide transparent oversight of all US refineries and their associated activities. This committee shall be comprised of:

a) Bipartisan team from the US House and Senate
b) 2 Independent industry professionals
c) 2 Independent environmental professionals
d) 2 Appointed members of the EPA

No members of the US Energy committee shall have any vested interest with contractors, which includes ownership in stocks or other corporate assets.

3. Like other government contracts the contractors shall be required to transparently bid for work including exploration, refining and distribution contracts.

4. The US Congress shall authorize funds for exploration, imported fossil fuels, refinery maintenance and new refining capacity.

5. In the event of a national emergency the President of the United States, with the consultation of the US Energy committee, shall be authorized to spend emergency funds appropriated by Congress to address a national emergency.

6. A significant percentage of profits earned by the US Government on the sale of refined fossil fuels shall be invested in renewable energy programs backed by the US Government including solar, wind, nuclear, hydroelectric power.

7. A US Energy Truth and Reconciliation committee shall be established to address and resolved grievances brought by the public against private US energy contractors and their subsidiaries and affiliates. When criminal activity is discovered the US Attorney General shall assign a US Attorney to investigate and prosecute in federal court.

8. For criminal cases brought by the US Energy Department against foreign companies and citizens, the International Criminal Court (ICC) shall hear each case and prosecute according to international law. If US Citizens are harmed by a foreign company or individual they shall be charged and tried in US Federal court.

Such a structure is long overdue and brings some honest solutions to Americans, our political process and the global environment. Anything less is irresponsible reckless behavior.