McNerney Statement on Energy Bill Consideration

Press Release

MCNERNEY STATEMENT ON ENERGY BILL CONSIDERATION

Washington, D.C. - Today, during consideration of the Energy Independence and Security Act, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) made the following statement on the House floor.

"I spent more than two decades working in renewable energy. I know the great potential that new energy technology offers and how the steps we're taking today will help improve the world for future generations.

"Today, we should all feel proud as we pass an energy bill that will benefit our economy, our security, our children, and our planet. When future generations look back on the actions we're taking today, they will see it as a monumental first step away from centuries of consumption and exploitation and towards a bright and clean energy future.

"I'm very pleased that this bill includes tax incentives for renewable energy, higher fuel economy standards for vehicles, a 15% Renewable Electricity Standard, and my bill, which will encourage groundbreaking research in geothermal energy.

"States like California blazed the trail on these issues, and now everyone can follow.

"I support this bill, and yield back my time."

Major provisions of the Energy Bill include the following:

* Rep. McNerney's bill, H.R. 2304, originally introduced this summer and incorporated into this final package, to increase research and development funding for enhanced geothermal energy - cutting edge technology that will expand clean, 100 percent-domestic geothermal energy to much broader swaths of the United States.
* A bill originally introduced by Rep. McNerney, in conjunction with Reps. Solis and Tierney, to conduct job training for workers to fill the millions of new "green" jobs that will be created over the next 10 years.
* An increase in fuel efficiency of vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the first in a generation and is supported by environmentalists and the automobile industry (CAFE).
* A Renewable Electricity Standard, modeled on the standard in California and other states across the country, requiring that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources.
* New energy efficiency standards for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting and buildings.
Additional tax incentives for solar, wind, and biomass, technologies to support cutting-edge energy research.

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