WASHINGTON, D.C. – First District Congressman Paul Ryan voted in favor of H.R. 4, the Securing America's Future Energy Act of 2001, which passed early today in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 240-189.

"It's high time our nation had an overall energy policy," Ryan said. "Wisconsinites whose home heating bills and gasoline costs spiked this past year know firsthand what tight supply and an aging infrastructure can mean for the family budget. People should not go broke heating their homes or filling their gas tank."

"At the same time, our quality of life depends not only on reliable, affordable energy, but also on clean air, water, and a healthy ecosystem," Ryan said. "This bill is a balanced approach that includes serious progress on conservation and development of clean energy sources."

"I am especially pleased that part of this bill is aimed at the problems that communities like ours have had during the transition to summertime reformulated gasoline," Ryan said. "Earlier this year, the EPA had already committed to do a study of boutique fuel requirements, and this bill will strengthen that commitment by requiring a joint EPA-DOE study on that issue."
 
Among a host of provisions, the Securing America's Future Energy Act of 2001:

• Promotes conservation by the federal government, individuals, and businesses

 
• Reauthorizes federal energy conservation programs and sets stricter standards for energy use in federal buildings
• Allows a 20-percent credit, up to $2,000, to individuals who make qualified energy efficiency improvements for their existing homes
• Allows a 15-percent credit, up to $2,000, for individuals who purchase qualified photovoltaic or solar water heating property

• Encourages greater development of renewable energy

 
• Invests in DOE programs doing next-generation research into renewable sources of energy including solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower

• Encourages greater domestic energy production

• Helps low-income households pay their energy bills

 
• Increases funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which helps low-income consumers pay high energy bills
• Reauthorizes the Weatherization Assistance Program, which improves the energy efficiency of low-income homes to keep energy costs low.