Murphy has Been Calling for Comprehensive Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Short-Term Relief for Families and Long-Term Solutions for Energy Independence

(Washington, D.C.) – Late last night, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) voted to pass a comprehensive energy measure that will provide immediate gas price relief and move us toward energy independence. After months of pushing for comprehensive legislation that helps families dealing with record gas prices in the short-term and also looks after our long-term energy needs, Rep. Murphy proudly voted for the bipartisan compromise. This historic legislation will invest in renewable energy sources to create green collar jobs, provide tax incentives for green energy, expand domestic drilling and improve energy efficiency and conservation.

“This is the energy package I have been calling for all along – where Democrats and Republicans come together to support short-term relief for families and long-term solutions for energy independence,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “I was proud to support this landmark bill, which includes tax breaks for renewable energy and increased domestic drilling. These critical investments will continue to create green collar jobs right here in Bucks County and help families who are struggling with record gas and heating oil prices.”

“Patrick Murphy has been a leader in Congress on the issue of energy independence. He has repeatedly brought Democrats together with Republicans for both short- and long-term solutions for our energy crisis and is working hard to bring green collar jobs to his community,” said House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer.

The Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act will help families paying record prices by releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bring down gas prices. For our long-term energy needs, this bill provides tax breaks to invest in wind, solar and natural gas so we can break our dependence on foreign oil and create millions of green energy jobs. The bill also requires utility companies to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by the year 2020. This will help lower energy costs for consumers by billions of dollars.

It will also responsibly open up additional offshore areas for domestic drilling with oil companies footing the bill instead of taxpayers – including forcing oil companies to drill on the land to which they already have access. It will also end tax breaks for oil companies making record profits and require the oil companies to pay royalties already owed to taxpayers. Following up on the first increase in fuel efficiency (CAFE) standards in a generation, this package is the second piece of landmark energy legislation Rep. Murphy helped pass with bipartisan support.

For more information on the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act, click here.

For Immediate Release, September 17, 2008
Contact: Adam Abrams, (202) 225-4276