Untitled Document
What’s New
Congress Tops Off First 100 Hours by Passing Clean Energy Act
WASHINGTON, DC— Today the House of Representatives voted 264 to 163 to pass the “CLEAN Energy Act of 2007,” (H.R. 6) which would close some tax loopholes for big oil companies, and recover royalties from oil and gas produced in public waters. The Act will shift more than $14 billion from these subsidies to investments in clean energy, such as energy efficient technologies and renewable power. The bill was the last of the six bills brought up for consideration during the House’s first 100 legislative hours, and now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Read the release.
Summary
There’s no question that America has the technological know-how to dramatically reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels. We can make cars that go 100 miles on a gallon of gas. Wind turbines and solar panels can supply power to millions of homes and businesses. We can make high-performance products and buildings that use a fraction of the energy we use today. We’re asking citizens to join us in calling on candidates to endorse a bold and sensible plan to move Pennsylvania and America toward a new energy future.
It’s time for a new energy future
For decades, government policy favored the oil industry and other powerful energy interests over energy conservation and emerging renewable energy technologies. But now there’s momentum for change. With gas prices having passed $3 per gallon this summer, Americans are demanding cars that get better mileage. A June 2006 poll found 79 percent favor standards of at least 40 miles per gallon. With the effects of global warming showing up in our own back yards, 82 percent of Americans support increasing renewable energy. Even President Bush admits that America is “addicted to oil,” and many in Congress are reconsidering their positions on energy conservation and clean energy. But real change will only come when our elected officials are held accountable for concrete actions that can put our country on a new energy path.
Real solutions for our country
We can reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Plugin hybrid cars that go 100 miles on a gallon of gas already exist. Congress should tell the auto industry to make vehicles that get at least 40 miles per gallon, and state leaders should implement the Clean Vehicles Program to bring more efficient cars and trucks to Pennsylvania. These officials should also support policies that encourage shifting away from oil as a transportation fuel.
We can harness clean, renewable homegrown energy
The wind that blows over America’s Great Plains could provide enough power for the entire country. Lawmakers should require that 25 percent of our energy in Pennsylvania and across the country come from clean, renewable sources by 2025.
We can save energy with high-performance homes and businesses
EnergyStar-certified homes use 30 percent less energy than other homes. Lawmakers should create incentives to reduce the amount of energy we waste so that we can cut our energy use in Pennsylvania and across the country by at least 10 percent by 2025.
We can invest in a bold, new energy future
By investing more public and private dollars in new energy-saving and renewable technologies, we’ll power our future and make America the world’s clean energy leader.
We’re calling on state-level candidates and candidates for Congress to let voters know where they stand on the following:
• Reduce our dependence on oil by saving one-third of the oil we use today by 2025 (7 million barrels per day). Through improved gas mileage, better transportation choices and clean fuels, we could easily save more than twice the amount of oil we import from the Persian Gulf.
• Harness clean, renewable, homegrown energy sources like wind, solar and farm-based bio-fuels for at least a quarter of all energy needs by 2025.
Pennsylvania and America as a whole have
virtually limitless potential to generate electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar power. In fact, the wind that blows through America’s plains is enough to meet the electricity needs of the entire country. We also can power our cars with renewable energy by using energy crops such as switchgrass and agricultural by-products.
• Save energy with high performance homes, buildings and appliances so that by 2025 we use 10 percent less energy than we do today. Dramatic improvements in energy efficiency are possible in virtually every aspect of American life. By building homes and offices that use less energy and improving the efficiency of appliances and industrial equipment, we can transform the way we consume energy.
• Invest in a New Energy Future. By committing $30 billion over the next 10 years to the New Energy for America Initiative nationally, and quadrupling current state-level investments in renewable energy and efficiency technologies, we could provide a significant boost to the research and development funding for the energy-saving and clean technologies we need to achieve these goals.
Reports
A New Energy Future: The Benefits of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for Cutting America’s Use of Fossil Fuels 9/27/06
In The News
Sustainable plan for cleaner air 9/24/06
