TANNER HELPS HOUSE PASS HISTORIC ENERGY BILL

Increases Domestic Production, Invests in Renewable Fuels

U.S. Rep. John Tanner says energy legislation the House of Representatives passed Tuesday is one of the broadest and most comprehensive efforts to wean the U.S. off its dependence on foreign oil. It allows more off-shore oil and natural gas drilling and further invests in alternative fuels to help put the nation on a path toward energy independence, Tanner said.

“What we are trying to do here is to move away from our dependence on foreign oil, and this bill goes a very long way,” Tanner said. “Everything is on the table. For example, we do more drilling, we do it now, and we open up the Strategic Reserve for the short term.”

Among its key provisions to provide immediate energy relief and help ease the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, “The Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act”:

• Permits the largest opening of offshore land for oil and gas development in our nation’s history.

• Authorizes $18 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy production, biofuel development and improved energy efficiencies.

• Utilizes oil from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help meet short-term energy needs.

• Taps into the potential 1.8 trillion barrels of oil in Western oil shale.

• Helps spur new jobs in the “green collar” energy sector and the oil and gas industry.

“When you put it all together, we have more domestic production, more effort into research into alternative energy sources that get us away from this over-dependence on foreign oil,” Tanner said. “I am hopeful the Senate will take it up sooner rather than later.”

Tanner represents the 8^th Congressional district in West and Middle Tennessee. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee and chairs the House delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

# # #

Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714