Congressman Says Energy Independence Is Achievable in 10 Years

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin today introduced comprehensive legislation that would put “America squarely on the road to energy independence” in 10 years.  “We need to undertake an effort similar to the 1961 Apollo program that put a man on the moon in less than a decade.  We need to develop a strategy to achieve energy independence and then put the needed resources into achieving it,” he said.

Today, the United States imports 35% of its energy and 65% of its oil, making our nation vulnerable to price spikes in the wake of international events.  Rep. Cardin’s American Energy Independence Act would make the United States energy independent by 2016 by increasing efficiency standards, encouraging the development and use of renewable forms of energy and putting significantly more resources into U.S. energy research and development.

“Americans are tired of feeling the pinch of rising energy costs – from higher electric rates to gasoline at more than $3 a gallon -- we must commit our nation to a strategy that will make us energy independent in 10 years,” said Rep. Cardin.

According to a recent report, Americans are paying almost 54% more for their energy needs -- including gasoline, home heating and electricity -- than they were 5 years ago.  In 2001, the average American household paid $3,323 a year for energy costs; in 2006 those costs soared to $5,131 a year.

Rep. Cardin’s energy independence plan would result in 90% of our energy needs coming from domestic sources within 10 years.  His bill also calls for achieving independence from fossil fuels. 

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Increasing CAFÉ standards for all vehicles, including SUV and light trucks, to 45 mpg in 10 years;

• Creation of a bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission to evaluate our progress toward achieving energy independence and recommend policy changes that are needed;

• Investing in energy efficiency, including providing more energy-efficient products for American consumers;

• Creating a Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard, which would require that 25% of our energy needs come from renewable sources by 2020; and,

• Dramatically increasing funding for research and development to meet our goals for energy independence.

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