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For Immediate Release
December 7, 2007 |
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Shays Supports Energy
Legislation
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4)
supported H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection,
and Energy Efficiency Act, when it passed the House yesterday
by a vote of 235 to 181. This legislation incorporated several
provisions, including increasing CAFÉ standards, from
the Energy for Our Future Act, which Shays has introduced
to decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil, protect the environment,
build a market for renewable energy, and promote energy conservation.
Below is Mr. Shays’ statement:
I support H.R. 6 and am excited Congress is considering legislation
that finally recognizes the energy demand course we are on
is simply unsustainable if we do not take control of our over-consumption.
The fact is, with only three percent of the world's oil but
25 percent of its use, the U.S. can never drill our way to
energy security. I am glad to be supporting policy that reduces
the demand for oil by emphasizing conservation. Only by creating
a forward-looking energy policy that reduces demand for energy,
and in particular oil, will we be able to lower gas prices.
I am pleased this bill requires a fleetwide corporate average
fuel economy standard for cars, sport utility vehicles, work
trucks, and medium and heavy duty trucks of 35 miles per gallon
by 2020. In my view, this is the least we can do. While I
would prefer to attain a higher standard sooner, I am pleased
we are taking the first Congressionally-mandated increase
since 1975.
I believe raising CAFE standards is one of the most significant
steps we can take as a nation to reduce our dependence on
foreign oil, improve our national security, and protect our
environment and economy. Even a modest increase in CAFE standards
would save more oil than would be produced by drilling in
the Arctic National Refuge.
I am also very grateful that the legislation will build a
market for renewable energy and alternative fuels. Requiring
at least 15 percent of electricity be produced from clean,
renewable sources of energy like wind and solar by 2020 seems
common-sense to me, and the 36 billion gallons of biofuels,
such as ethanol and biodiesel, to be blended with gasoline
by 2022 should make us less dependent on the Middle East for
oil.
I also believe the extension of important tax credits for
renewable energy production including wind, solar, geothermal,
and biomass technologies will continue advances being made
in these fields.
Contact: Dave Natonski , 202/225-5541
Contact:
Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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