Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate amendments to the Energy Independence and Security Act, a landmark energy package that puts the country on track to achieve energy independence. Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-05) hailed its passage and issued a statement in support of the legislation, which will lower energy costs, establish higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, grow the economy, begin to reduce global warming, and strengthen national security.
“The world has awakened to the fact that we must take steps now to achieve energy independence. This energy package is just the first step we will take in Congress to ensure that we leave our children and grandchildren with a cleaner and more sustainable planet than we inherited,” said Rep. Matsui.
Specifically, the energy package takes groundbreaking steps to increase the efficiency of vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020; creates a number of new financial incentives to produce renewable biofuels from environmentally sustainable sources such as switchgrass and woodchips; and strengthens energy efficiency standards for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting, and buildings.
The new policies and incentives contained in the bill will help save more than four million barrels of oil per day, and have the potential to create more than three million new jobs in the clean-energy sector. In addition, the legislation will reduce by 1.1 million barrels of oil per day the amount of oil currently imported from the Persian Gulf, and will have the practical effect of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 28 million of today's cars and trucks.
“Today, Congress passed landmark legislation that will take America in a new direction. It is a significant step in reducing our dependence on foreign oil, building our clean energy economy, and making our communities cleaner,” said Rep. Matsui.
The Energy Independence and Security Act:
- Increases CAFE standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for new cars and trucks. This is the first change to fuel economy standards since 1975, and could save families up to $1000 per year in gas expenses. This tough new CAFE standard—which is supported by America's car companies—will reduce oil consumption by 1.1 million gallons per day and significantly reduce greenhouse gases.
- Cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by 24 percent of what is needed to save the planet.
- Strengthens research programs examining the potential of solar, geothermal, and marine renewable energy technologies.
- Creates a skilled workforce in the emerging clean energy sector. Over the next ten years, investments in renewable energy could create over three million new jobs that will be critical to Sacramento as it builds a thriving clean-energy sector.
- Provides incentives for entrepreneurs to participate in the clean energy sector. Small businesses will have their loan limits increased to allow them to develop the technologies that will play a major in the clean energy revolution.
“The Sacramento Metro Chamber is very pleased to see the United States House of Representatives pass the Energy Independence and Security Act today. The Sacramento Metro Chamber has been a long time advocate of workforce development strategies that ensure we train the workforce of today for the jobs of tomorrow while also making sure that small businesses have access to capital that will allow them to grow and pursue creative solutions to some of the world's most pressing and complex issues,” stated Michael Faust, Senior Vice President for Public Policy, Sacramento Metro Chamber.
“Here in Sacramento, we know that this change in policy is vital to our national security, to our environment, and to our economy. We have a wonderful opportunity to be leaders and innovators in the energy sector, and this legislation will help our region take advantage of the resources we already have to do so,” said Rep. Matsui.
###
