Rep. Boozman Votes to Send Energy Plan to President's Desk

Rep. Boozman Votes to Send Energy Plan to President's Desk
Calls the plan a "good step" toward energy independence

Washington, Jul 28 - Rep. Boozman today voted to send the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to the President's desk for his signature.

"This bill is a good step toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Right now, Americans consume twenty-one million barrels of oil per day and the overwhelming majority of that comes from foreign sources. President Bush's signature on this bill will signal a new era where we reduce our reliance on other counties for our energy sources," said Boozman.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005:
- Encourages domestic production of oil by streamlining the permit process, promoting greater refining capacity, and curbing the proliferation of boutique fuels;
- Reduces the demand for oil by increasing funding to improve fuel efficiency standards and encouraging the development of alternative sources of energy;
- Boosts production of clean natural gas to help lower soaring prices;
- Improves our nation's electricity transmission capability and reliability to prevent future blackouts;
- Promotes clean and renewable fuels by providing incentives for clean coal technology and other fuels such as biomass, wind, solar, and hydroelectricity;
- Encourages conservation by establishing new mandatory efficiency requirements for federal buildings, greater efficiency standards and product labeling for battery chargers, refrigerators, freezers, unit heaters and other household products.
- Provides financial incentives for energy efficient commercial buildings, the construction of energy efficient homes, and the production of energy efficient appliances

All of these provisions will help America increase oil production at home and use new technologies to provide energy sources for our future.

"As a member of the House International Relations Committee, I can tell you without a doubt that we do not want to be dependent on the likes of Iran and Venezuela for our sources of energy. Relying on foreign sources of oil is bad policy now, and will only be worse for future generations if we don't take action now," said Boozman.

The "Energy Policy Act of 2005" passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 275-156.

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=31569