| CHICAGO,
IL – Standing before the latest energy efficient innovations and renewable
technologies, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today welcomed
“America’s Energy Future Tour” to the Windy City. The tour, sponsored
by the National Environmental Trust and organized by Citizen Action/Illinois,
showcases hybrid fuel vehicles, solar power and energy efficient appliances,
hydrogen fuel cell and wind power. The tour will travel to 30 cities
in ten weeks.
“The
promise that clean, efficient, and renewable energy holds is immeasurable.
With new technologies, our nation will lessen its dependence on foreign
oil, people will breathe cleaner air, and consumers will send less money
to the electric company at the end of the month,” Schakowsky said.
“The
future is here today and it’s not Exxon/Mobil or Shell. It’s time
for Congress to recognize this reality and invest in 21st Century technology,”
Schakowsky added.
The
tour featured the Toyota Prius, a hybrid electric gasoline car, capable
of getting 50 or more miles to the gallon. In addition, the tour
included a solar powered energy trailer that creates enough energy to power
the vehicle, the Energy Star air-conditioner, computer, and refrigerator.
Other products will also be highlighted on the tour.
Schakowsky
said that she was not surprised that Republicans passed an energy bill,
H.R. 4, that provides no real relief to consumers, fails to adequately
invest in conservation and alternative energy, and threatens the environment.
“The
cornerstone of the Republican plan is to drill in ANWR, permanently destroying
a natural treasure, for just six months of oil. This is unnecessary.
If we increase our fuel efficiency by only 1.7 miles per gallon, we will
save more oil than what is expected to be recovered from ANWR,” Schakowsky
said.
She
also pointed to a report which found the same energy companies that gave
millions in campaign contributions last election would receive billions
of dollars in tax breaks and subsidies in H.R. 4. Included in the
bill is a total of $36.4 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for oil, gas,
nuclear and electric utility industries. During the 2000 election
cycle, these industries donated or “invested” $69.5 million. The
rate of return on this investment is 52,200%.
“If
you’re looking to deliver to consumers innovative new technologies, you’re
going to find a dry well in this energy plan. But if you’re big oil
and gas, you bought yourself a gusher,” Schakowsky said.
“It’s
time to cap that money well. This shameless pandering to the Republican
Party’s major investors in the oil, gas, nuclear and electric utility companies
must come to an end,” Schakowsky concluded. |
