Matsui Endorses Energy Independence for Independence Day
Wednesday, July 3, 2007
Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-05) joined with Democratic leaders this week to endorse the House of Representatives’ landmark energy policy package. This ambitious legislative agenda is aimed at achieving energy independence by investing in renewable fuels, encouraging alternative energy research, and promoting better transit options.“Reducing our dependence on foreign oil and combating global warming are two of our nation’s defining challenges of the twenty-first century,” said Matsui. “I am committed to a comprehensive strategy of energy research, development, and innovation that will combine our country’s ingenuity with its abundance of clean and renewable natural resources.”Since the beginning of the 110th Congress, Rep. Matsui has joined with the new Democratic leadership to overhaul energy policy in the United States. As one of her first official acts this year, she voted to roll back tax breaks for large petroleum companies and invest the proceeds in alternative fuels research. The Congresswoman has also joined with her Congressional colleagues to ban gasoline price-gouging, to hold oil-producing countries liable for unfair market practices, and to invest nearly $2 billion in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.“Democrats are focused on making our national energy policy balanced and sustainable,” continued Matsui. “Such a shift in energy strategy will make Americans safer by eliminating our reliance on unstable regimes for fossil fuels. It will lower Americans’ energy costs and strengthen our economy by creating a reliable domestic supply of clean power. It will forestall global warming by shifting our energy use away from carbon and toward renewable fuel sources.”Rep. Matsui was an integral part of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s recent approval of its portion of comprehensive energy and climate change legislation. As a member of the Committee and one of fourteen original co-sponsors of the Transportation Energy Security and Climate Change Mitigation Act of 2007 (H.R. 2701), the Congresswoman is a strong supporter of policies that streamline energy usage and reduce emissions in the transportation sector.“My hometown of Sacramento is making great strides to modernize its infrastructure,” noted Matsui. “We boast a thriving Light Rail system, a burgeoning goods movement strategy, a respected and efficient airport, and an intermodal transit center in the downtown area which will soon be online. I will continue using my position on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to help Sacramento become a model for how integrated, efficient, and environmentally conscious transportation systems can work.”###
