TANNER INTRODUCES 'FUEL ACT'

Democratic bill calls for domestic drilling,
seeks to lessen dependence on oil

Congressman John Tanner has introduced legislation to address the nation’s energy crisis by lifting the ban on domestic drilling, encouraging the development of alternative fuels and investing in nuclear energy.

The “Fulfilling U.S. Energy Leadership Act” (“FUEL Act”) was introduced August 1 by U.S. Reps. John Tanner (D-TN), Jason Altmire (D-PA), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Jim Matheson (D-UT) and Charlie Melancon (D-LA).

“As every Tennessee family knows, our country faces an energy crisis that poses serious challenges,” Tanner said. “Although there is no one solution to this crisis and no one political party or politician to blame, many of us feel that drilling for oil and natural gas has to be part of the comprehensive solution.

“In the ‘FUEL Act,’ we propose lifting the ban on domestic drilling while also investing in the development of alternative forms of energy. Both of these steps will help lessen our dependence on foreign oil.”

Among other provisions, The "FUEL Act," H.R. 6817:

• Lifts the moratorium on exploration and drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). States would be allowed to authorize drilling between 50 and 100 miles off their shores, in accordance with existing environmental regulations.

• Lifts the moratorium on oil shale and tar sands leases in the West.

• Establishes the Next Generation Energy and Efficiency Fund, which would dedicate up to $40 billion generated by OCS drilling for accelerating alternative energy technologies.

• Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to invest those funds in the research and development of alternative fuel sources, such as electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, smart grid technology, wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, hydrogen energy, marine and hydrokinetic energy, industrial energy efficiency and vehicle energy efficiency.

• Provides the U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission with additional resources to address price manipulation and better monitor speculative limits on oil trading.

• Directs the Secretary of Energy to study the impact of expanded nuclear production on energy costs and climate change, and establishes an interagency working group to identify incentives for developing nuclear energy.

• Incorporates Title I of the bipartisan Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008, which originated in the House Ways and Means Committee, on which Tanner serves. Among other provisions, the fully-offset title provides tax incentives for investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation.

Tanner represents the 8^th Congressional district in West and Middle Tennessee. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee and chairs the House delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714