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For Immediate Release |
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Contact: Murat Gokcigdem |
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Phone: (202) 225-8885 |
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December 6, 2007 |
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CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON VOTES FOR ENERGY SECURITY LEGISLATION
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Measure Reduces Global Warming and Dependence on Foreign Oil |
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Washington, D.C. - This afternoon, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson joined a majority in the House to pass legislation on a path toward energy independence. This measure was approved by a vote of 235 to 181 and will strengthen our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, lowering energy costs, growing our economy and creating new jobs, and it will begin to address global warming.
“With the price at the pump skyrocketing to $2.90 here in Texas, Congress has now taken swift and comprehensive action to build an energy independent future for America. For too long, Washington has dragged its feet. It denied the problem. It has let oil companies and foreign governments call the shots,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Our energy security plan is about reducing our dependence on foreign oil, relying instead on clean, renewable sources here in the United States, on American ingenuity and on our entrepreneurial, can-do spirit.”
The cornerstone of the Energy Independence and Security Act is that it increases the fuel efficiency of vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This provision will save American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump with $22 billion in net annual consumer savings by 2020. Here in Texas, the provision would create 8,700 jobs and save families $ 1,832 million at the pump by 2020.
- Lowers consumer energy costs. The bill requires, for the first time, that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources, saving consumers here in Texas from $1.59 billion to $2.03 billion by 2020. It also will save consumers $440 billion by 2030 through landmark new energy efficiency standards for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting and buildings.
- Creates new jobs. The bill will create new jobs, with an investment in renewable energy through tax incentives for solar, wind, biomass and geothermal technologies and cutting-edge energy research, creating good paying jobs in rural communities across the country through a historic commitment to biofuels, training workers for 3 million new “green” jobs over the next 10 years and making small businesses leaders in renewable energy.
- Strengthens our national security by reducing oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels a day by 2030, through the CAFE standard and an historic commitment to American-grown biofuels.
- The bill will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 percent of what is needed by 2030 to save the planet.
“This bipartisan legislation has earned strong support of leaders in the business, labor, faith and environmental communities across the nation. We hope that the President will reconsider his threat to veto this legislation, because all Americans have a stake in our fight for energy independence and lower energy costs,” said Congresswoman Johnson.
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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.
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