Congress Sends President Historic Energy Bill, Signals Critical Shift in Energy Policy
Contact: Select Committee, 202-225-4081
Congress Sends President Historic Energy Bill, Signals Critical Shift in Energy Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House passed a historic new energy bill by a vote of 314 to 100 and sent it to the president for his signature. The bill, H.R. 6, raises the fuel efficiency standards of the American car and light truck fleet for the first time in decades to 35 miles per gallon (mpg), boosts homegrown renewable energy and increases the efficiency of American buildings, homes, appliances and lighting.
Below is the statement of Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and primary champion of the 35 mpg automobile fuel efficiency standard in the House:
“Today is an historic day. As the lead Democratic voice in the House of Representatives calling for an increase of at least 10 mpg over 10 years, I commend Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid, Chairman Dingell and the president for working to find a middle ground on this issue so that we could reach this day: after more than thirty years, we’re raising fuel economy standards of our vehicles and getting our national energy policy back on track.
“The bill makes great strides on global warming, reducing U.S. global warming emissions by nearly a quarter of what’s needed to save the planet, by 2030. With global warming legislation a priority for this Congress, this is a significant boost to the momentum for climate action.
“For too long, we have been caught up in a vicious whirlpool of imported oil, exported dollars and military obligations all spinning out of control. Every day, we import 2.2 million barrels of oil from the volatile Persian gulf, and every day we send nearly $150 million back to a region over which we have little control. And now we have 150,000 troops in Iraq. It is a deadly whirlpool that keeps pulling us down.
“With this energy bill, we are saying, no more. No more will we send our children to die in the oil fields of the Middle East while the rest of America pretends that it doesn’t matter what we drive. With this bill, we are telling OPEC that the free ride is over. We are getting serious about our oil addiction. With this energy bill, we will reduce our reliance on imported oil by more than 4 million barrels of oil a day by 2030, more than twice our current imports from the Persian Gulf.
“With such strong support for the 35 mile per gallon standard I have worked so hard to achieve for the American people, I am pleased that the President has dropped his veto threats and pledged to sign this bi-partisan, effective legislation into law.”
PLEASE NOTE: The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was created to explore American clean energy solutions that end our reliance on foreign oil and reduce carbon pollution.
The Select Committee was active during the 110th and 111th Congresses. This is an archived version of the website, to ensure that the public has ongoing access to the Select Committee record. This website, including external links, will not be updated after Jan. 3rd, 2010.
The Select Committee was active during the 110th and 111th Congresses. This is an archived version of the website, to ensure that the public has ongoing access to the Select Committee record. This website, including external links, will not be updated after Jan. 3rd, 2010.
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