Neil's Notebook Leading the way to a national energy policy
April 29, 2009
Neil, left, leads a a discussion by a bipartisan working group in the House that is drafting legislation to establish a national energy policy. To Neil's left are Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA) and Tim Walz (D-MN). (Photo/Dave Helfert)
Bipartisan House group readies legislation
Neil and Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) are leading a bipartisan energy working group in developing legislation that lays out a national energy policy to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and provide stable and significant funding for renewable and alternative energy technologies.
Neil led a similar process last summer. Most of that group’s work was included in an energy bill approved by the House but blocked by Republicans in the Senate. During the legislative debate over that bill, Neil said: "Our national energy crisis is a lot more complex than drilling or not drilling for offshore oil. We need to develop our own energy resources as soon as possible so our way of life isn’t left in the hands of other countries. We need to completely change the way we produce and use energy so alternative fuels and renewable sources can power more of our daily lives: fuel our cars, trucks, aircraft and boats; cool and heat our homes, schools and offices; and generate electricity. Ultimately, the more alternative energy we use, the less fossil fuels we’ll need. And that, together with practical, sustained conservation efforts, is the real solution to our energy crisis."
