Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Expo and Forum

Floor Speech

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, what the American people want is for us in a bipartisan effort to come together and use all the energy tools in our energy tool box to, in fact, solve America's energy problems. Such an effort is being sponsored today in part by the House Renewable Energy and Efficiency Caucus, of which I am a member.

Renewable energy and energy efficiency are important tools for reducing our reliance on imported oil and addressing climate change. In my home State of California in 2007, 23.5 percent of our electricity came from renewable resources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydroelectric facilities. We've made a lot of progress. The Fresno-Yosemite Airport near my district recently installed solar panels that provide 40 percent of the airport's need for electricity. At my alma mater, Fresno State, we've built shaded parking using solar panels that provide over 20 percent of the energy necessary for the university. We also have dairy farmers and utility companies partnering together to generate electricity through methane gas.

This is the kind of partnership and cooperation and collaboration we need. This is an exciting time for renewable energy and energy efficiency. I encourage all to visit this very important expo and forum in the Cannon Office Building.

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