FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 18 December 2007
CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
Sierra Club Cheers Final Passage of Energy Bill
Legislation Includes Landmark Increase in Fuel Economy Standards
Washington, D.C.--Today, by an overwhelming, bipartisan margin of 314 to 100, the House passed the final version of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (H.R. 6). It will raise fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon, mandate a massive increase in the production of homegrown biofuels, institute programs to train workers for 3 million green collar jobs over the next ten years, dramatically increase the efficiency of our buildings and appliances, and begin to take the steps needed to reduce our global warming emissions. President Bush has indicated that he will sign the bill.
Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director
"The leadership in Congress promised a new direction on energy and today they have delivered. This bill is a clean break with the failed energy policies of the past and puts us on the path toward a cleaner, greener
energy future.
"The centerpiece of this bill is a dramatic increase in fuel economy standards that has been some three decades in the making. It’s testament to the skill and tenacity of Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid, and
other key leaders in Congress that not only have we achieved this historic victory--but that we do so with environmentalists, labor unions, and business standing together in celebration.
"This bill is a huge Christmas present to the hardworking American families suffering under record high energy prices. It will offer them over $20 billion in relief at the pump and some $400 billion in additional savings through greener buildings, more efficient appliances, and better light bulbs. It will also help us begin fueling our cars with greener fuels from the Midwest instead of expensive imported oil from the Middle East. And as it becomes ever clearer that urgent action is needed to combat global warming, this bill will make real progress by achieving a quarter of the cuts we need by 2030 if we are to avert the most catastrophic effects of a warming climate.
"It remains unacceptable that the Southern Company, other polluters, and a small group of Congressmen determined to block progress were able to use procedural tricks to block a Renewable Electricity Standard supported by a majority of the Congress and--more importantly--by an even larger majority of the American people. The American people are demanding clean energy and we will work with the Congressional leadership to ensure that these provisions are brought back for a vote--and passed--as soon as possible.
"We are pleased that President Bush has said he will sign this bill and look forward to this bill becoming law as soon as possible."
# # #