TANNER, BLUE DOGS LIST ENERGY POLICY GOALS

'Energy Principles' Address National, Economic Security

WASHINGTON – Congressman John Tanner said Wednesday that Congress should rewrite the nation’s energy policy to focus on national and economic security and fiscally responsibility. Tanner and the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, which he helped found, announced a set of “energy principles” to help guide the country away from foreign energy sources.

“Our country’s security and prosperity are directly impacted by its energy stability,” Tanner said at a Capitol Hill press conference with other members of the Blue Dog Coalition. “We cannot maintain our dependence on other countries, who may or may not agree with us on other matters, to control the energy resources Americans need.”

In an official policy document, the Blue Dogs identified eight energy principles:

• The U.S. should increase – not decrease – the amount of energy produced domestically.

• There should be a long-term, global approach to address climate change, which most scientists agree has developed over time.

• A secure and diverse energy supply is critical to the nation’s success, including the development of renewable fuels, such as biofuels and cellulosic ethanol, which can be produced from agricultural products like corn stover and switchgrass.

• Congress should help businesses become more efficient to improve consumers’ access to affordable energy.

• To ensure affordable energy at stable rates, the U.S. should offer tax incentives to encourage production, energy efficiency and responsible energy exploration.

• Congress should help make the nation’s power grid more reliable, including more competition across the nation’s electricity infrastructure.

• Energy policy should build on the American strengths of innovation and independence. Research, development and new technology will be central to enhancing the energy market and addressing climate change.

• Blue Dogs support further energy efficient technology development such as energy-saving appliances.

“Energy independence is a matter of national security and economic security,” Tanner and the Blue Dogs wrote in their “energy principles” document. “The Blue Dog Coalition believes in policies that increase U.S. energy security and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy, because America’s continued prosperity depends on the availability of reliable, affordable energy.”

Tanner also serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, which recently passed “The Renewable Energy and Conservation Tax Act of 2007.” The bill provides tax incentives to encourage energy efficiency and more production of renewable fuels. Tanner helped secure part of the bill that encourages using switchgrass for fuel. Gov. Phil Bredesen has said developing switchgrass as a renewable fuel is a top priority for Tennessee.

Tanner represents Tennessee’s 8^th Congressional district in west and middle Tennessee. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and as chairman of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714