Rep. Pitts supports energy plan

Congressman highlights conservation, clean energy components of comprehensive legislation

Washington — Congressman Joe Pitts (R, PA-16) today supported the conference report for H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005.  The legislation passed the House by a vote 275 to 156, sending the bill to President Bush for his signature.  Congressman Pitts issued the following statement upon passage of this historic legislation.

“This is the first substantial energy bill in more than three decades.  H.R. 6 puts in place a comprehensive energy plan that our nation’s families and small business owners can rely on to fuel our economy in the century ahead.  By fostering conservation, increasing our investment in renewable, clean sources of energy, and encouraging greater domestic production of oil and gas, we can build a safer and more secure future for our country,” said Congressman Pitts.

H.R. 6 will:

• Improve our energy efficiency and encourage additional domestic energy supplies;

• Create jobs and economic opportunities by encouraging investment in energy infrastructure;

• Address rising gasoline prices and our dependency on foreign oil;

• Improve our environment by promoting clean and renewable fuels and requiring greater energy conservation; and

• Deter unfair competition from undermining U.S. energy security.

More details on the $8 billion in conservation initiatives in H.R. 6:

• Tax incentives for electricity from renewable sources – H.R. 6 provides an expansion and two-year extension of the tax credit for clean, renewable energy produced from wind, geothermal, biomass, hydropower, landfill gas, and municipal waste.

• Clean and renewable power for electric cooperatives – extends the benefits of the renewable energy tax credit to agricultural and electric cooperatives.

• Cleaner and more efficient coal – the clean coal tax credits promote a greater reliance on domestic coal while making sure coal use is cleaner and more efficient than ever before. The pollution control device amortization provision enables energy companies to retrofit existing coal plants so that they too can provide cleaner energy than ever before possible.

• Energy efficient buildings at work and at home – tax incentives to create energy-efficient commercial buildings and energy efficient homes.

• Appliances using less electricity – creates a tax incentive for energy efficient refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers.

• Cleaner and more fuel efficient cars -- tax incentives for hybrid, lean-burn diesel and alternative fuel cars will enable Americans to save money at the gas pump and help the environment at the same time.

• Better access to better fuels – tax credits for biodiesel, ethanol, and other alternative fuels.

• Recycling for the future – H.R. 6 authorizes the federal government to study the future of waste material recycling.

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