Washington, DC - By a vote of 235 to 181 the House today passed H.R. 6, The Energy Independence and Security Act, one of the most significant overhauls of our nation's energy policy in decades. The legislation, which will help move the nation towards a responsible energy policy, includes increased mileage standards for automobiles, a commitment to increase the development of renewable energy sources, and a bi-partisan proposal put forth by Bay Area Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) relating to the research and development of biofuels. Woolsey's proposal would ensure that as the cultivation of biofuels continues to grow, their production is done in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.
"Biofuels have the potential to diversify our energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but only if we pursue this path with a full understanding of the implications of biofuel production and processing," Woolsey said. "That's why my proposal specifies that in producing and developing new sources of biofuels we must ensure that their production is sustainable, and result in lower greenhouse gas emissions."
The cornerstone of the new energy policy is the first increase in fuel efficiency standards since 1975, ensuring that cars and trucks receive a minimum of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Not only will such an increase save American families money at the pump, on average between $700 and $1,000 annually, but it will be the environmental equivalent of removing 28 million of today's cars and trucks from our roads.
The legislation also includes a landmark mandate to ensure that 15% of our nation's electricity comes from renewable energy sources by 2020. This mandate, coupled with increased efficiency standards for household appliances, will result in massive consumer savings of between $13-18 billion by 2020, and will reduce our nation's global warming emissions by at least 84 million metric tons per year by 2020. Such a reduction is the equivalent of taking an additional 10-15 million vehicles off the road, and is aided by $9 billion in tax incentives aimed to spur the production of renewable energy sources and provide tax incentives to consumers who choose more efficient vehicles and appliances.
"When it comes to much of what's being proposed in this legislation, the nation is just catching up to some of the projects going on in Marin and Sonoma Counties, which are leading the way when it comes to environmental responsibility," Woolsey said. "Many of our firms and public works projects are experimenting and developing environmentally friendly projects using cutting edge technologies such as buses that run on liquefied natural gas, increased efficiency standards in our building codes, clean and renewable energy resources at The Geysers, increased usage of solar energy by our local public utility firms, and building sustainable electric cars.
"But this bill raises the bar nationwide, setting higher standards for all of us, and all I can say is 'it's about time.' It's about time that we have a nationwide renewable energy standard, such as the one I've put forth for biofuels, since renewable energy opportunities are available not just in Marin and Sonoma Counties, but in every corner of this nation. This bill will help us invest in those opportunities, and make them work for a cleaner future for our children."
Part of that investment must come from the development, and commercialization, of alternative energy sources. That's why the legislation provides funding for the research and development of alternatives such as solar; wave; geothermal; and hydrogen energy sources.
In addition to the production of alternative energies, the bill focuses on energy savings. Besides those seen by increased appliance and automotive efficiency, the legislation calls for increased standards in the building sector, as well as in the energy usage in federal and public buildings.
"This is a good bill and we can only hope that the Senate will help get it to the President's desk," Woolsey said.
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