House Passes Reichert Energy Legislation

Press Release

The U.S. House of Representatives passed energy legislation late last night that included Congressman Dave Reichert's (WA-08) amendment promoting the widespread use of plug-in hybrid vehicles. The provision was included in a bill (H.R. 6323) sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-05) to establish a research and development program for heavy duty plug-in hybrid vehicles.

"With all eyes on the economy, it's important to seek solutions that can ease the pain of consumers and families, especially at the pump," said Reichert, a member of the House Science and Technology Committee that originally approved the legislation. "My amendment promoting the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is just one important step of many that must be taken in our comprehensive approach to end our nation's dependence on foreign oil."

Reichert's amendment establishes a pilot program that encourages widespread use of plug-in hybrids and tests their impact on our nation's electric power grid. The testing could be conducted at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA. It is Reichert's hope that this measure will ensure a smooth transition to a non-fossil fuel based transportation system.

Reichert's focus on energy policy consists of short-, mid- and long-term solutions to wean the country off of fossil fuels - in particular, from foreign sources - to cleaner, renewable domestic sources and by utilizing options available now, such as the promotion of mass transit and plug-in hybrid vehicles. In recent weeks, Reichert's legislative action on the energy crisis includes:

· Introducing legislation that would allow advanced biofuels (non-food-based) to replace petroleum (August 5, 2008) in the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The Promoting Real Opportunities for Energy Security Act (PRO Energy Security Act), H.R.6823, would give the Secretary of Energy the authority to acquire advanced biofuels for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve instead of crude oil. This would provide a stable market for advanced biofuels and promote further research and development to bridge to our nation's energy independent future;

· Voting for comprehensive energy legislation (September 16, 2008) that includes environmentally-safe drilling, without touching ANWR, increased leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and facilitates the construction of a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to U.S. markets; and,

· Successfully passing a transportation amendment (June 26, 2008) as part of the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6052), that promotes mass transit use by providing additional funds for bus park-and-ride lots to better serve suburban commuters.

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