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Dear E-Alert Subscriber:
Transforming our
nation's energy policy has the far-reaching potential to bolster our
economy, benefit the environment and positively affect how we
address complex international issues. By opposing measures that
would only maintain the status quo and promoting real alternatives,
I have worked for solutions that should move us closer to our shared
goal of energy independence.
Righting Wrongs
The path to a better national energy policy begins with rescinding
the billions of dollars in tax breaks and direct subsidies provided
to the oil and gas industry over these past few years. Clearly, at a
time when the oil and gas industry is already reaping record
profits, such additional “rewards” to special interests are
inappropriate.
To remedy this, I have supported legislation that eliminates such
tax breaks and subsidies and instead makes that funding available
for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). With
winter quickly approaching, and prices expected to remain high, many
families are already wondering how they are going to pay to heat
their homes. LIHEAP provides much-needed assistance to certain
qualifying individuals and families. Unfortunately, funding for the
program was cut from the bill approved by the Republican-controlled
House Appropriations Committee. While this outcome has not yet been
finalized, I continue to support common sense efforts to provide
additional funding for LIHEAP by eliminating wasteful tax breaks and
subsidies.
Protecting Consumers
While gas prices have recently dropped, we still must enact tough
federal laws to guard against price gouging at the pump. I have been
pushing for legislation that would ban market manipulation, enhance
transparency in oil and gasoline markets, and empower the Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) with the explicit authority to develop an
enforceable price gouging definition and then investigate and punish
those who inflate the price of oil, natural gas, home heating oil
and crude oil.
Reducing Our Oil Dependence
We will not be able to eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels
overnight, but we must make significant strides toward that goal
immediately. Based on the most recent monthly data, the Energy
Information Administration (EIA) estimates that America has imported
an average of 13.7 million barrels of total petroleum per day for
2006. However, the EIA's annual outlook projects that the total U.S.
petroleum imports could increase to 18.3 million barrels per day by
2030.
Our national security, economic and environmental interests demand
that we not let this projection become a reality. I have sponsored
legislation and supported amendments that require new corporate
average fuel economy (CAFE) standards be prescribed to ensure that
the CAFE achieved by automobiles increases significantly, and that
our power generation facilities use a higher percentage of
alternative fuels for production of electricity.
Investing in Renewable Energy Technology
To combat our dependency on foreign oil, we must accelerate our
efforts to partner with industry and universities for the
fundamental research needed to develop technologies and emerging
markets for the next generation energy technologies. I have
sponsored legislation that does just that by creating a new agency
within the Department of Energy that would have the resources to
perform the much-needed basic research and to advance promising
technologies. I believe that we must double the percentage of
renewable fuels sold in America in six years.
Improving Our Energy Efficiency
(one small local step . . .)
We can take simple action to help this cause right at home. The
ENERGY STAR Change a Light,
Change the World Campaign has the goal to reduce the
amount of greenhouse gas emissions and save energy by encouraging
everyone to install energy efficient lights at home and at work.
Please visit my website for more information:
www.house.gov/tierney.
The foregoing is only a sampling of my ongoing efforts to transform
our energy policy, I trust it conveys how focused I am on addressing
one of our nation’s serious long-term challenges.
Sincerely,
John F. Tierney
Member
of Congress
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