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A prime challenge facing our nation is the reduction of our dependence on fossil fuels such as coal and oil. The U.S. has become the world's largest and least efficient energy consumer because we have artificially subsidized petroleum prices. Many difficult environmental problems, including acid rain, global warming, and air pollution, are the direct result of our fossil fuel consumption.

Alternative energy sources can help meet our needs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Sustainable energy technologies, including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal power, are more environmentally responsible than oil and could create thousands of jobs in the U.S. economy. Conservation strategies can further improve our energy balance and reduce atmospheric emissions.

Congressman McDermott is actively working in the U.S. House of Representatives to develop and implement cleaner, more environmentally responsible domestic sources of energy production. He is a member of the House Climate Change Caucus and the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus.

Through his position on the Ways and Means Committee, the congressman is working to make Congress and the American people aware of the huge subsidies our current tax system provides to fossil fuel and nuclear industries and technologies. He is working to redirect these incentives to research and investment in sustainable technologies.

Congressman McDermott is a strong supporter of efforts like the Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI), a program that provides financial incentives for electric utilities and cooperatives to invest in and produce renewable energies. The Congressman advocates increasing corporate average fuel economy (CAFÉ) standards for cars and sport utility vehicles. He supports the development of alternative technologies for vehicles, and owns a hybrid car.

Congressman McDermott opposes oil exploration in environmentally sensitive areas such as the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, Yellowstone National Park, and off-shore areas of California and Florida. The limited reserves of potentially recoverable oil in these areas could not be realized for at least 10 years, and do nothing to alleviate our oil dependency now. Relying on minimal, inaccessible sources of petroleum only forestalls responsible action to address our energy needs..

Related Press Releases and Speeches

• Floor Speech on Energy Prices
• Floor Remarks on Oil Prices
• Reducing America's Addiction to Oil
• H.R. 6 - The Clean and Renewable Energy Legislation Video