Murphy Hails Passage of Landmark Energy Bill
Press Release
Murphy Hails Passage of Landmark Energy Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - For the first time in a generation, today the House of Representatives passed an energy bill that will raise federal fuel efficiency standards and create a national renewable energy requirement. By 2020, vehicles will be required to get 35 miles per gallon, saving Americans $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump, with $22 billion in net annual consumer savings in 2020. The bill also invests in renewable energy and shifts billions in tax incentives for oil companies to clean renewable energy and new American technologies.
"Our dependence on foreign oil is not only making us less safe, but it is also destroying our planet. I am so proud of the passage of this energy bill, not only because we are going to be able to save people money at the pump, but also because we are investing in our national security and our environment. Today, we set a new, attainable national energy strategy," said Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5), who has been pushing for these changes to our national energy policy before and throughout his term in Congress.
The Energy Independence and Security Act will:
Make an historic commitment to American-grown biofuels by increasing the Renewable Fuels Standard to 36 billion gallons in 2022;
Require for the first time that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources;
Save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars through landmark new energy efficiency standards for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting and buildings;
Include a $21 billion tax incentive package - which repeals $13 billion in tax breaks that were needlessly given to profit-rich Big Oil companies and includes other tax provisions from the President's budget and bipartisan negotiations and invests those savings in clean renewable energy and new American technologies;
And provide for the training of workers for 3 million new "green" jobs over the next 10 years.
The Senate has not taken up this measure, and the President has threatened to veto it. Meanwhile, Connecticut residents are paying near record prices for home heating fuel and more than $3 a gallon at the gas station.
"This incredible investment in our nation's energy security is too important to fall victim to the President's veto pen. The President needs to stop listening to his oil industry friends and start hearing the people out there who are fed up with our backwards energy policy. He should sign this bill," said Murphy.
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