Markey: Energy Bill a Victory for American Consumers, National Security

WASHINGTON (November 30, 2007) – Today a deal on the energy bill being considered in Congress was announced, signaling a new direction in America on oil dependence, renewable energy, and global warming. The bill will raise fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, marking a huge victory for Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who has waged a 7 year battle to increase the efficiency of America's vehicles.

"For the first time in decades, Congress is taking long overdue action to increase the fuel efficiency of American cars and SUVs. A 35 MPG standard is something that just a year and a half ago, most people in Washington thought would never see the light of day," said Rep. Markey, Chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and author of the 35 mile per gallon standard in the House.

Markey praised his colleague, John Dingell, for accepting this major step forward, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi for holding firm on the 35 mpg standard.  

"I know this is a difficult step to take for America’s auto companies, but the status quo was helping neither our nation nor the companies themselves. I especially appreciate Chairman Dingell’s willingness to let this reform go forward at this time, with the nation heavily dependent on oil costing $90 a barrel.”

Markey, the chief House proponent of the 35 mpg standard, did not force a vote on the measure last summer in hopes that with the help of Speaker Pelosi and the Senate, an agreement could be reached that would unite the Democratic Caucus. This strategy now appears to be paying off.

“Nancy Pelosi has been stalwart in her support for the 35 mpg standard, for which I am very grateful. Within a few years, American consumers will start to see more efficient vehicles being sold in showrooms across the nation. A 35 MPG standard, along with provisions mandating increased use of renewable fuels, will save Americans more than twice the amount of oil we currently import from the Persian Gulf, by 2030, save them billions of dollars at the gas pump, and go a long way towards protecting the planet from global warming,” Markey said.

"Along with increased fuel economy, the bill marks a new path forward on renewable fuels like ethanol and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. It requires utilities to provide at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2020. By 2022, billions of gallons of ethanol will flow through America's new, more efficient engines, and wind turbines and solar cells will use nature to power our economy, instead of letting dirty power alter nature,” said Markey.

The bill is expected to be voted on next week in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

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