Moran Supports Legislation to Meet Country's Energy Needs

MORAN SUPPORTS LEGISLATION TO MEET COUNTRY'S ENERGY NEEDS
House Passes Energy Bill Designed to Lower Fuel Prices, Improve Efficiency and Increase Ethanol Use

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jerry Moran today supported House passage of energy legislation aimed at lowering the costs of fuel for cars, homes and businesses and reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil. H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, is similar to legislation that was twice passed by the House but never received approval by the U.S. Senate.

"With gas prices at an all-time high, well in advance of the peak traveling time, I hope that the urgency for this legislation is recognized," Moran said. "Meeting our nation's energy needs includes better controlling fuel prices, but it's also about having an affordable, reliable, and clean energy supply. If our country wants to remain competitive in a global market, we must have electricity and other energy sources priced at levels that allow us to compete. We need the House and Senate to reach an agreement and move forward to provide important benefits for Kansans."

The House-passed energy legislation includes incentives for more domestic oil production, as well as tools that help promote renewable fuels, such as ethanol, biodiesel and wind energy. Included in the legislation is a renewable fuels requirement to add five billion gallons per year of ethanol and other renewable-based fuel to the nation's fuel supply. Renewable energy sources are a growing part of the Kansas agriculture and statewide economy, and are also cleaner burning fuels, making them friendlier to the environment.

The legislation also contains a provision that would lengthen Daylight Savings Time by two months, to begin in March and end in November. Lengthening the amount of time that Americans work during sunlight hours would reduce oil consumption by an estimated 10,000 barrels a day during the extra months. In addition, the legislation promotes investment in the country's electric transmission capacity, reducing the danger of blackouts and increasing access to wind energy and other renewable energy sources. Other provisions call for additional use of solar energy as well as incentives for hybrid cars and hydrogen use.

"The price of oil and gas affects everyone in Kansas, from the single family home in Johnson County to the farming operation in Johnson City," Moran said. "Today's legislation is a responsible way to help bring good things to our state: more jobs, cheaper fuel, lower energy costs and additional markets for Kansas products."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ks01_moran/pr042105EnergyBillPassHouse.html