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Energy and Environment PDF Print

Congresswoman Halvorson believes our country needs a comprehensive energy plan that will strengthen our national security, create new jobs, grow our economy and protect our environment. She is working to ensure a diversified national energy portfolio that includes utilization of biofuels, wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, nuclear, natural gas and coal. Additionally, she supports actions to provide for more efficient energy consumption in our country, including home weatherization, insulation utilization, utilization of energy efficient appliances, and a smarter energy distribution network.

 

Important Issues in the 111th Congress:

E-15 Biofuel Expansion

The current 10 percent ethanol-gasoline blend cap threatens to restrict the development of ethanol infrastructure and capacity. Ultimately, it will restrain the development of advanced biofuels, and therefore our nation's ability to meet the historic Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) enacted in the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. Congresswoman Halvorson is working to further establish our renewable biofuel infrastructure to help decrease our reliance on fossil fuels.Congresswoman Halvorson voted for the American Clean Energy Security Act, H.R. 2454, to further expand our renewable biofuel industry and infrastructure and to support our local ethanol economy.

Congresswoman Halvorson also led an effort to increase the amount of ethanol blended in gasoline from 10% to upwards of 15% (E-15) in order to meet the requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard enacted in 2007.


Energy Efficiency

Our nation faces significant challenges as we work to ensure our energy security and reduce the economic and national security risks of high energy prices. Energy efficiency legislation can help us accomplish these goals and save consumers and businesses money in the process.
We can save more energy each year from being conscientious of our energy usage and implementing energy efficient programs and infrastructure. To increase our country's utilization of energy efficienct improvements, Congresswoman Halvorson:

  • Authored an amendment to H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, to create a program to advocate the energy efficiency benefits of mechanical insulation and encourage their use in non-residential buildings in order to conserve energy and lower costs,
  • Became a member of the High-Performance Building Caucus, which advocates and supports legislative ideas to help make buildings throughout the country more energy efficient.


Renewable Energy

Investments in renewable energy are not only necessary to accommodate our nation's energy needs, but are also crucial in the creation of new jobs and the growth of new domestic industries. Congresswoman Halvorson believes we must have a multi-faceted approach to energy development that incorporates biofuels, wind, solar, hydro and geothermal energies, along with our primary sources of existing fuel sources, such as coal, natural gas and nuclear power.

  • Congresswoman Halvorson is a co-sponsor of H.R. 890, the American Renewable Energy Act, which calls for 25% of the total amount of energy produced nationally to be derived from renewable energy sources,
  • As co-chair of the New Democrat Caucus Energy Task Force, Congresswoman Halvorson advocated for renewable energy provisions to be included in the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

 

 
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