Capitol News

Real Energy Solutions

To send this newsletter on to friend, please click link.

Welcome to another edition of The Castle Record.

I hope this newsletter helps keep you informed of my efforts in Washington on your behalf and encourages you to share your views. 

This issue of The Castle Record highlights the discussion of our federal energy policies and what steps Congress can take to get us on a path of energy independence. Like the rest of Americans, Delawareans are faced with the impact of rising energy prices in the cost of travel, food, utilities and more.  Congress must use this opportunity to drive the debate towards sustainability and self-sufficiency but we can't change the future without changing our reliance on fossil fuels and diversifying the kinds of energy we use.  We cannot take the necessary steps to change our path unless we work together to explore any and all feasible solutions.   

For those of you who will be driving to vacation destinations this summer, remember simple tips like slowing driving speeds and proper tire inflation to make the gas stretch just a bit farther.

Also, last week, my office launched a new, improved website! This website features a newsroom with streaming video and audio clips, policy journal, photo album, and much more! Please take a moment to look around my website - and don't miss my newest video clip on Internet Safety and Security Tips.

Thanks for allowing me to be in touch and please feel free to forward this message on to your family, friends, and colleagues who may be interested in receiving updates!

Sincerely,

Last week Congress debated legislation to address energy futures markets, public transportation, price gouging, and restrictions on leases for oil and gas drilling.  While all these issues are relevant pieces of the puzzle, I have concerns that the legislation last week fell short of a comprehensive energy plan to reduce our short-term reliance on foreign oil and begin to change our long-term dependency on fossil fuels.

I voted to:

• Severely punish those guilty of price gouging at the pump;
• Investigate and prevent price manipulation in the energy futures market;
• Provide greater incentives for public transportation; and
• Require oil companies use existing federal land leases to their fullest potential or turn them back.

We must look beyond these measures and advance pragmatic solutions that cover a broad spectrum of energy policies :

• Increasing use of clean energy: wind, solar, and nuclear power - and requiring our utilities to produce a certain percentage of electricity from renewable energy sources.
• Intensifying development of alternative fuels;
• Extending renewable and efficiency tax credits - Key to bolstering the innovative technologies that American consumers are demanding;
• Implementing stronger efficiency standards;
• Ramping up conservation.
  

Promoting the development of improved fuel efficiency has never been more important.  Last week, to increase awareness of efforts to improve fuel economy, I hosted a hybrid test drive on Capitol Hill.  All Members of Congress were invited to test drive the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrids, as well as learn about the technology Chrysler and Dodge are using to develop these products.  The HEMI Hybrid vehicle that I drove uses both electric and conventional power train systems to achieve up to 40% improvement in fuel efficiency over the non-hybrid model. These hybrids, constructed at the Newark Assembly in Delaware, were so easy to drive! With gas prices at an all time high, we must encourage innovation in energy and fuel efficiency technologies, including advanced battery technology, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cells.  Finally, consumers are demanding a variety of affordable, fuel efficient vehicles and more energy efficient appliances.  

Delaware Embraces Plan for Offshore Wind Energy

We should all be proud to see our state leading the way in the development of alternative energy technology with development of an offshore wind park.  Clean, stable, and domestic energy that powers our homes will make a valuable contribution to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce harmful greenhouse gases.  Recently, Senators Biden and Carper, and I, joined in writing U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne to urge that the long overdue regulations for alternative energy projects in federal waters are issued as soon as possible. With these regulations offshore wind projects, like Bluewater Wind's in Delaware, will not face delays and regulatory uncertainty.   

Learn more about my record on energy and other issues by visiting my new website: www.castle.house.gov.