Issue Position: Energy

Issue Position

Like all of us, Congresswoman DeLauro is deeply concerned about our nation's energy situation; especially high gasoline and oil prices place a strain on our economy and show our dependence on foreign oil. DeLauro believes we must develop an energy policy that strengthens our economic and national security.

Clearly, we face some tough decisions. Congresswoman DeLauro believes we can achieve a balanced energy policy that helps our economy grow, protects the environment, and keeps our nation secure. We need to increase and diversify our energy supply and reduce the overall demand by improving efficiency with which we produce and utilize energy -- making us less vulnerable to energy shortages and less dependent on foreign suppliers.

To ease our dependence on foreign oil, we need to invest in new technologies that will maximize our ability to extract domestic energy supplies in a manner that is not destructive to the environment. To promote much needed clean energy alternatives, we need to support efforts to develop alternative and renewable energy sources. At the same time, we need to aggressively protect consumers.

Meeting our energy needs does not mean that we need to compromise our nation's environmental laws. Proposed drilling in environmentally sensitive areas, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other federal monuments, is not a sensible answer, especially when the vast majority of America's oil and gas resources -- meeting decades of energy needs -- are on less sensitive lands already open to energy development. We can grow the economy and, at the same time, make strides in improving the environment.

Many American families and seniors continue to be subject to high energy prices that threaten the ability of many to provide adequate heat for their home. Often the heavy burden forces many to decide between food or heat. To make sure that no family or senior has to make such an unconscionable choice, DeLauro has consistently pushed for additional funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is the main vehicle we have at our disposal to help our most vulnerable seniors and families to keep the heat on in the winter and to provide cooling during the summer months.

DeLauro has also worked to secure and fund the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. The Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, which was created as a result of the severe supply disruption that caused price spikes, helps protect Americans in the Northeast from possible fuel shortages and price spikes in the winter. Almost half of all the home heating oil in the Reserve is stored in New Haven harbor.

Congresswoman DeLauro supported the American Clean Energy and Security Act when it passed the House in June 2009 by a vote of 219 to 212. This bill requires electric utilities to create 20 percent of their electricity through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by 2020. By investing in clean energy technologies and mandating new energy-saving standards, this legislation will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 17 percent by 2020--the equivalent of removing 500 million cars from the road. In addition to putting us on a sustainable path to further reduce emissions over the coming decades, it helps to ensure that consumers are protected from potential increases in energy costs. It is estimated that this legislation will create 1.7 million new jobs and bring about $150 billion in investments.

In addition, Congresswoman DeLauro supported the CLEAR Act when it passed the House in July 2010. This bill holds BP responsible for the tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico, works to prevent future oil spills, and helps to protect our vulnerable coastal communities. By creating new safety measures, holding the oil industry responsible for the cleanup costs of the BP spill, and strengthening oversight of oil drilling, this legislation will rebuild our fragile Gulf's waters and restore the economies of so many that depend on it. This builds on legislation already passed by the House of Representatives to toughen oversight of BP and other oil companies, ensure that the families of those killed or injured as a result of the BP spill are compensated fairly, to guarantee aid to the Gulf and develop new technologies to prevent oil spills.

DeLauro will continue her efforts to provide Connecticut and the Northeast the energy security it needs. Recent events like the oil spill in the gulf have reaffirmed the fact that our future does not lie in increased drilling and fossil fuels, but in clean energy. Congresswoman DeLauro will continue to fight for a clean energy policy that creates new jobs, enhances our energy independence and national security, and helps protect our environment and public health.

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