Democratic Congress Sets Course for Energy Independence with Landmark Energy Legislation

Press Release

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) joined with her colleagues to vote for landmark energy independence legislation, the New Direction for Energy Independence , National Security and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 3220) and the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act (H.R. 2776).

Taken together these two pieces of legislation will reduce our reliance on foreign oil. H.R. 3220 provides an historic investment in homegrown biofuels, giving incentives for plug-in hybrid vehicles rather than Hummers, and promoting the use of mass transit and cleaner efficient buses, ferries, and trains. And pays for the incentives with H.R. 2776, which repeals a number of tax subsidies that benefit the oil and gas industry and promotes improved accountability for companies that operate on federal lands.

"After years of talk about the need to achieve energy independence, today we act. Today we make a critical investment in out nation's future with this momentous legislation to achieve energy independence, strengthen national security, grow our economy, create new jobs, lower energy prices, and begin to address global warming in alternative fuels to build a cleaner and more energy efficient future for our children. It is an ambitious initiative, to be sure, but nothing less will secure our nation's energy future," said DeLauro

And important for Connecticut , the legislation takes a step towards easing the Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) requirement of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) to allow states to qualify hybrid vehicle purchases. The provision, similar in intent to legislation DeLauro introduced, gives the Secretary of Energy the discretion to qualify hybrid vehicles toward the AFV requirement for any state.

Additionally, during consideration, DeLauro joined with her colleagues to amend the legislation to include a provision on Renewable Portfolio Standard. This will require utilities to produce 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020.

H.R. 3220 will set our nation on a path toward energy independence, strengthen national security, grow our economy, create jobs, lower energy prices, and begin to address global warming. This bill reflects the combined efforts of ten House committees; in addition, the Appropriations Committee is addressing energy and global warming in many of their bills. Through the committee process, including extensive hearings and markups, almost every Member of the House has the opportunity to participate in the development of this legislation.

Additionally, the legislation will:

Strengthen National Security by Reducing our Dependence on Foreign Oil

*Historic Investment in Homegrown Biofuels
*Incentives for Hybrids, Not Hummers
*Repealing Big Oil Giveaways

Lower Energy Costs through Greater Efficiency, Cleaner Energy and Smarter Technology

*Landmark Increase in Energy Efficiency to Bring Down Energy Costs
*Renewable Energy for a Cleaner America

Create New Jobs through New Technologies

*Cutting-Edge Research
*Small Business Leading in Renewable Energy
*A Skilled Workforce for the Growth of Green Jobs
*Using Innovation to Make Coal Part of the Solution

Reduce Global Warming

*U.S. Leadership in the World
*Federal Government Leading the Way

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