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For Immediate Release
November 17, 2005 |
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Shays, Hinchey Introduce
Legislation to Decrease Dependence on Foreign Oil,
Build Market for Renewables
Washington, D.C. – Representatives Christopher
Shays (R-CT) and Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) introduced comprehensive
energy legislation today to address our nation’s growing
energy needs. The bill, the Energy for Our Future Act, seeks
to decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil, protect the environment,
build a market for renewable energy, and promote energy conservation.
“We simply will not have a world to live in if we continue
our neglectful ways,” Shays said. “This legislation
would help us save oil, reduce dependence on foreign oil and
promote innovative sources of renewable energy.”
"This bill will strengthen our national security by
greatly reducing our reliance on the Middle East for oil,
create new jobs across the United States to further develop
these clean, renewable energy technologies, and help save
our environment from harmful pollutants associated with oil
use," Hinchey said. "Additionally, it would save
American taxpayers billions by repealing some of the most
egregious tax breaks for oil companies that were included
in the energy bill that Congress passed earlier this year."
The legislation:
- Saves oil by increasing corporate average fuel economy (CAFE)
standards for cars and light trucks, including vehicles that
weight up to 10,000 pounds, and closing the SUV tax loophole:
- Encourages the purchase and manufacturing of hybrid vehicles;
- Promotes the use of Public Transportation, and the building
of energy efficient modes of transport like clean buses and
light rails;
- Reduces heat and electric bills by increasing and extending
energy efficiency tax incentives to both businesses and individuals;
- Saves taxpayer dollars by repealing tax breaks for oil
companies; and
- Restores state authority with regards to LNG siting and
setting CAFE standards.
The bill was endorsed by the Sierra Club, League of Conservation
Voters, Natural Resources Defense Council, Union of Concerned
Scientists and U.S. PIRG.
Shays, who was designated an “environmental hero”
by the League of Conservation Voters, continued, “The
bottom line is, with 3% of the world’s oil and 25% of
its use, we can never drill our way to energy security.”
Shays is Chairman of the Global Legislators for a Balanced
Environment and the Congressional Green Scissors Caucus and
is a member of the Congressional Long Island Sound Caucus.
Contact: Sarah Moore,
202/225-5541
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