Schakowsky Backs Landmark Energy Legislation

SCHAKOWSKY BACKS LANDMARK ENERGY LEGISLATION
Bill Will Make Vehicles More Efficient, Cut Energy Costs, Fight Global Warming

Washington, D.C. —U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, backed the Energy Independence and Security Act, landmark energy legislation that will make America more energy independent, cut energy costs for families, reduce global warming, and grow our economy. The historic legislation was passed by a vote of 314 to 100 and will be sent to the President, who is expected to sign the bill into law tomorrow.

Congresswoman Schakowsky entered the following statement into the Congressional Record today in support of the Energy Independence and Security Act.

"For the first time in over 30 years, the House of Representatives will pass a significant energy bill one that reduces our dependence on foreign oil. As we have seen throughout our nation's history, but especially recently, our addiction to oil has compromised our national security and caused tremendous damage to our environment.

While there are many things to be proud about in this bill, there are two that I would like to highlight. The first is the new fuel economy standard. Today, the average price of gasoline in the United States is well above three dollars. This puts a tremendous strain on the American people, who in many instances have no option aside from driving to get to work or take their children to school. Today we pass a bill that raises Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for new cars. This provision alone will save American families between $700 and $1000 per year, by making their cars run more efficiently. It will lower oil consumption by 1.1 million gallons per day in 2020, approximately half of what we import from the Persian Gulf. This will reduce our dependence on oil which comes from the Middle East and politically unstable nations. It will also reduce the threat of climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by 24 percent.

In addition to raising CAFE standards, the Energy Independence and Security Act also makes a substantial commitment to invest in American-grown biofuels. This commitment comes at precisely the right moment for America. We are at the precipice of developing new technology that will allow our nation to produce renewable energy more efficiently. This bill creates the stimulus necessary to ensure that this development can take place, by requiring the use of 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol by 2015 and a total of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022. This development will not only mean that in the future our nation will have the ability to produce ethanol and other biofuels more efficiently, but in the meantime the massive development of biofuels and energy research will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs for people all over the nation, providing a spark to a labor force badly in need of new opportunity.

As important as the Energy Independence and Security Act is, it is just the first step and the road in front of us is long. We need an energy program that matches the scale of the threat we face. To be honest, a week ago, this bill was even better. I am very disappointed that several key provisions that were included in this bill originally and passed by this House were excluded from the final version of the Energy Independence and Security Act. I am most frustrated by the decision to remove the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) from the bill. The RPS provision would have required utility companies to generate 15 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. This would have meant an even greater investment in American-grown biofuels and created even more new jobs and greater economic growth.

In the final analysis, however, this is a great day for America. The New Direction Congress is about to pass an historic bill that makes America more energy independent, responds to the global climate change crisis, and grows our economy. I would also like to thank the Speaker and Chairman Dingell for their leadership on this bill throughout the process. We would not be here today without their hard work. I yield back the balance of my time…...

The Energy Independence and Security Act will increase vehicle fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon in 2020–the first congressional increase in 32 years — and slash U.S. oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels per day by 2030. The legislation also expands the use of American-grown biofuels to 36 billion gallons in 2022 increases the efficiency of buildings, homes, appliances, and lighting. All totaled it cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by up to 24 percent of what the U.S. needs to do to help save the planet.

The legislation will also save money for American consumers and strengthen the economy. Increased vehicle fuel efficiency will save American families $700 to $1,000 a year at the pump and the new building, appliance, and lighting efficiency will save consumers $400 billion through 2030. Additionally, the development of biofuels and support for cutting-edge energy research will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.