WASHINGTON - Congressman Adam H. Putnam (FL-12), a member of the Rules and Budget Committees, today praised the Senate passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

“With today’s passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 in the Senate, we can now move forward in providing Americans with a comprehensive energy policy for the 21st century,” said Putnam.  “Through expanded production, increased conservation, and greater investment in renewable energy sources, America’s energy future will be more secure and stable.”

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, by a bi-partisan vote of 249 to 183 in April. The House and Senate versions will be reconciled by the Conference Committee that will convene in the near future.

“For nearly a decade we’ve been without a strategy to address the growing energy needs of our nation. Too much of America’s energy—the fuel that keeps our cars running, our lights on and our homes cooled—comes from an unstable region, which threatens our national security,” Putnam stated. “Passage of this legislation will help decrease America’s dangerous dependence on foreign sources of oil, and will help grow our economy by creating jobs and providing a stable energy supply.”

“This nation has waited too long for action. We continue to see the consequences of inaction, as we’re all paying too much fill our gas tanks and cool our homes. I share the concerns of all Floridians about the high price of gasoline and natural gas,” said Putnam. “The dramatic increase in fuel costs we have experienced has had a direct effect on people's ability to carry out necessary activities for themselves and their families. Likewise, business and industries such as trucking and manufacturing that are heavily dependent on fuel for their operations have suffered greatly due to increased costs.”

“I look forward to the Conference Report, and seeing the President sign this important legislation into law.  America must have an energy policy that will meet the needs of the twenty-first century, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 does just that,” concluded Putnam.

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