Durbin, Democrats Set New National Priority for Energy Independence to Secure America

DURBIN, DEMOCRATS SET NEW NATIONAL PRIORITY FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE TO SECURE AMERICA

Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) today announced their "40 in 20" proposal that sets a new national priority to break America's dangerous and growing dependence on foreign oil.

Durbin and Reid's objective, endorsed by former CIA Director James Woolsey at a news conference today, sets a national security goal of reducing foreign petroleum imports by 40 percent by 2025, or a reduction of 7.64 million barrels per day. The "40 in 20" goal will be offered as a Democratic amendment to the energy bill expected to be debated on the Senate floor this week.

"Our goal of reducing imports of foreign oil by 40% over the next 20 years is a matter of national security and economic prosperity," Durbin said. "It will not only make us safer, it will help move us toward job growth, and a healthier, cleaner environment. Leadership, investment in American ingenuity and innovation, and a commitment to succeed, will guide us to our destination."

Durbin added, "If this amendment is accepted by the Republican-controlled Senate, we could be investing $100 billion in America in 2025 instead of spending it overseas." Last year, according to the Energy Information Administration, American taxpayers spent more than $110 billion to import foreign oil.

Reaching the 40% reduction goal over a 20-year period can be achieved through a variety of ways. One recipe includes saving four million barrels per day through growth in the biofuels and ethanol market, where Illinois farmers can lead the way in the production of liquid transportation fuels. Additionally, nearly one million barrels per day can come from modest changes to the aviation, residential and industrial sectors; more than one million barrels per day can be saved by simply increasing the efficiency of heavy duty trucks; and almost 600,000 million barrels per day in savings can be reached by establishing efficiency standards for replacement tires on our cars. This does not even account for the fuel savings the United States will witness from the growing hybrid automobile fleet.

"While the ‘40 in 20' goal is clear, the proposal recognizes that there are different measures we can implement to reach energy independence. We expect to consider amendments in the next two weeks that will complement our vision and help America reach this goal," Durbin said.

"Our nation's thirst for foreign oil, and our competition with countries like China for the dwindling worldwide supply of crude, is leading us down a dead end path. We have no choice but to turn around before it's too late," Durbin added. "American consumers can't afford to continue to pay the rising prices at the gas pump because our nation's continued dependence on oil cartels and foreign production. The solution for energy independence is right here at home -- not in an oil field in a desert across the ocean."

The United States, with only 3% of the world's proven reserves, consumes 25% of all oil produced worldwide.

Appealing to the Republican majority for support, Durbin concluded, "President Bush and Republicans in Congress have a choice either to join Democrats on the highway to freedom or to continue to set up barricades that will keep us on the road to insecurity. It's time to put aside partisan differences and focus on America because our nation's security depends on it."

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=238839&&