Mitchell, House Work to Reduce America's Dependence on Foreign Oil |
Wednesday, 05 December 2007 19:00 |
Legislation Doubles Residential Solar Tax Credits, Invests in Solar Research
WASHINGTON – Arizona residents will see their residential solar tax credits double to $4,000 and fuel efficiency standards will increase to 35 mpg by 2020 under a sweeping energy comprise bill – the Energy Independence and Security Act – passed today by U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell and the House of Representatives with a 235 to 181 vote. “America’s dependence on foreign oil is one of the most serious threats to our national security,” Mitchell said. “This energy bill takes important steps toward ending our dependence on foreign oil and investing in clean, renewable energy resources right here at home.” Mitchell said that House’s commitment to investing in solar energy is particularly important to Arizona. “We have an endless supply of sunshine in Arizona, and I strongly believe that with the right investments in solar technologies, Arizona can one day be the Middle East of Solar Energy,” said Mitchell. “Instead of giving half a billion dollars a day to oil producing countries in which many people want to kill us, we can export our energy technologies around the world.” The Energy Independence and Security Act
The increased fuel standards will reduce U.S. oil consumption by 1.1 million gallons per day in 2020 and will reduce greenhouse gases to a level equivalent to talking 28 million of today’s cars and trucks off the road. The Senate must now pass the legislation before it goes to the President’s desk. |