FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6 December 2007
CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
With Historic Energy Legislation,
House Delivers on Promises to American People
Sierra Club Applauds Strong Leadership, Resounding Victory for Clean Energy
Washington, D.C.--Today, by a margin of 235 to 181, the House of
Representatives passed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007--a
truly comprehensive, pro-environment, pro-economy energy bill. By 2020, it
would save consumers $22 billion at pump, up to $18 billion on their energy
bills, create nearly a million new manufacturing jobs, cut our oil
addiction by 1.1 million barrels every day, and make real progress in
cutting our global warming emissions. The bill will raise fuel economy
standards to 35 miles per gallon in 2020; require that we get 15 percent of
our electricity from clean, renewable sources like wind, solar, and
biomass; mandate a massive increase in homegrown biofuels, including
advanced cellulosic ethanol; and provide over $20 billion for clean energy,
green cars, energy efficiency and other staples of the new energy
economy--all without any new deficit spending.
Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director
"In January, Speaker Pelosi promised to deliver energy legislation that
would put us on the road toward a new, clean energy future. The energy
bill that the House passed today not only puts us on that road, but pushes
the accelerator to the floor. It is a dramatic pivot away from the failed
energy policies of the past and sets the stage for the Senate to flip the
switch on America’s new energy future.
"It is a bill of firsts: the first increase in fuel economy standards in
more than three decades, the first national requirement for renewable
energy, the first environmentally sensitive mandate for homegrown biofuels,
and the first energy bill to provide billions for clean energy instead of
shoveling subsidies to Big Oil and other polluters. Instead of a pork-laden
monstrosity tailored to the needs of the dirty energy industry, this bill
will give us clean electricity, greener cars, provide billions for clean
energy instead of Big Oil’s bottom line, strengthen our economy, make us
more secure, and begin to address the challenge of global warming. It is a
tremendous achievement for the Congress, but more importantly, it is a
victory for the hardworking American families who are now suffering as a
result of decades of failed energy policies.
"Speaker Pelosi and the leadership in Congress deserve special praise for
this achievement. Without looking back, they took on the some of the
richest, most powerful industries and most entrenched special interests in
America. Through skillful leadership, tenacity, and sheer force of
political will, they were able forge landmark legislation that is supported
by a broad coalition of environmentalists, faith leaders, labor unions, and
businesses.
"It’s now up to the Senate to flip the switch on America’s new energy
future by passing this vital legislation. This legislation already enjoys
strong, bipartisan support and we will redouble our efforts to make sure
that it does not fall prey to the machinations of a small group of senators
determined to derail this historic compromise. Senators must choose
whether they will side with American consumers suffering under skyrocketing
energy costs, our farmers in the heartland who want to help us solve global
warming and cut our addiction to oil, the tens of thousands of workers in
the new energy economy, those wishing to make us more energy independent
and secure, or a few rich and powerful special interests who wish to block
progress."
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