WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today applauded the Senate’s successful passage of the National Energy Policy Act of 2005, S. 10.  The vote comes over two months after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill on March 21 by a margin of 249-183.

 

“There is no question that we sorely need a national energy policy in this country.  High and unstable fuel prices, an unreliable electricity grid and an unwise reliance on foreign sources of energy are a tremendous drag on our national economy,” Emerson said.  “The passage of this bill by the Senate is a strong signal that permanent, long-term changes are coming to our policies on energy.  One of the keys to the future of American energy is the inclusion of ethanol, soy diesel, biofuels and alternative energy sources.  We have the technology to literally grow our own fuel, and this bill includes the proper incentives to take full advantage of that opportunity.”

 

Though the bills are similar, some differing aspects of the legislation must be resolved in a conference between House and Senate negotiators before a final vote can be taken in each body.  The proposal would then go to the White House for President Bush’s signature in order for the bill to become law.

 

“I especially want to give credit to Missouri’s Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent for their hard work on this legislation.  They understand how important the energy bill is to everyone in rural Missouri, especially farmers, and they are great advocates for this measure,” Emerson said.