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 Connecticut's Fourth Distric
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Legislation Search



 
 
 
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For Immediate Release
November 17, 2005
 

Shays, Hinchey Introduce Legislation to Decrease Dependence on Foreign Oil, Build Market for Renewables

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) introduced comprehensive energy legislation today to address our nation’s growing energy needs. The bill, the Energy for Our Future Act, seeks to decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil, protect the environment, build a market for renewable energy, and promote energy conservation.

“We simply will not have a world to live in if we continue our neglectful ways,” Shays said. “This legislation would help us save oil, reduce dependence on foreign oil and promote innovative sources of renewable energy.”

"This bill will strengthen our national security by greatly reducing our reliance on the Middle East for oil, create new jobs across the United States to further develop these clean, renewable energy technologies, and help save our environment from harmful pollutants associated with oil use," Hinchey said. "Additionally, it would save American taxpayers billions by repealing some of the most egregious tax breaks for oil companies that were included in the energy bill that Congress passed earlier this year."

The legislation:

  • Saves oil by increasing corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for cars and light trucks, including vehicles that weight up to 10,000 pounds, and closing the SUV tax loophole:
  • Encourages the purchase and manufacturing of hybrid vehicles;
  • Promotes the use of Public Transportation, and the building of energy efficient modes of transport like clean buses and light rails;
  • Reduces heat and electric bills by increasing and extending energy efficiency tax incentives to both businesses and individuals;
  • Saves taxpayer dollars by repealing tax breaks for oil companies; and
  • Restores state authority with regards to LNG siting and setting CAFE standards.

The bill was endorsed by the Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, Natural Resources Defense Council, Union of Concerned Scientists and U.S. PIRG.

Shays, who was designated an “environmental hero” by the League of Conservation Voters, continued, “The bottom line is, with 3% of the world’s oil and 25% of its use, we can never drill our way to energy security.”

Shays is Chairman of the Global Legislators for a Balanced Environment and the Congressional Green Scissors Caucus and is a member of the Congressional Long Island Sound Caucus.

Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541

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