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Working Towards America’s Energy Independence

Since arriving in Congress, Congresswoman Sutton has been a leader in the fight for a new energy policy that will spur growth in renewable and domestic energy production, create good paying jobs for American workers and help reduce the cost of fuel for the country’s families. The skyrocketing price of gas is one of Congresswoman Sutton’s biggest concerns and she will continue to fight to make gasoline affordable for families in Ohio and across the country.

 

Congresswoman Sutton is a member of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus and Vice-Chair of the Automotive Caucus.


Bringing Down the Price of Gas for America’s Families

Congresswoman Sutton has been fighting to compel oil companies to drill on the more than 68 million acres that they have leased but are not using for production. She is a cosponsor of H.R. 6256 the Responsible Ownership of Public Lands Act, which would charge oil companies a fee for continued inaction. If companies refuse to pay, their leases will be revoked and the land will be made available to other companies. Proceeds would go to increased renewable fuel production.

She was also a leader in the push to halt shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and was a cosponsor of H.R. 6022, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act. With Congresswoman Sutton's support the measure became law and shipments to the SPR were suspended in July. This will send an additional 70,000 barrels of oil a day to the market for American consumers. To bring additional relief, she has partnered with House Democrats to call on the President to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to immediately increase market supply, thereby reducing cost. 

Congresswoman Sutton voted in favor of the H.R. 6899, the Comprehensive Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act.  This legislation helps end our dependence on foreign oil and moves America towards a new energy future. It requires that the country produce 15% of its electricity by 2020 and expands tax incentives for renewable energy. It also releases nearly 10% of the oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bring more oil to the market and immediately bring down gas prices.

Congresswoman Betty Sutton also helped lead the passage of H.R. 6604, the Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act. This legislation will help curb excessive speculation in the energy markets which has artificially inflated the price of oil. It also helps bring transparency to the commodities and futures markets and gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) needed flexibility to improve its oversight abilities.

 

Congresswoman Sutton has also supported:

The Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act H.R. 6074: This legislation holds OPEC and oil companies accountable for price fixing. It also creates a Department of Justice Petroleum Industry Antitrust Task Force. Passed the House on May 15, 2008. The President has threatened to veto it.

 

The Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act: This legislation would give the Federal Trade Commission the authority to investigate and punish companies that artificially inflate the price of energy. Passed the House May 23, 2007 but the President has issued a veto threat.

 

No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act H.R. 2264: This legislation would hold OPEC accountable for oil price fixing and authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action in U.S. district court to enforce this Act. Passed the House May 22, 2007 but the President has issued a veto threat.

 

Energy Markets Emergency Act, H.R. 6377: This Legislation would direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to use its full authority and most potent emergency tools to curtail excessive speculation in the energy market.  Passed by the House June 26, 2008 but the President has issued a veto threat.


Promoting Renewable Fuels

With Congresswoman Sutton’s strong support, Congress passed a historic energy bill that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce global warming, and lower energy costs for consumers by raising CAFE standards for the first time in 32 years. It also provides new energy efficiency standards, and makes a commitment to American-grown biofuels. This legislation was signed into law in December, 2007 and is expected to save American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump.

 

To build even further, Congresswoman Sutton joined with other Freshman House Members and signed two letters urging Congressional leadership to pursue an increase in a renewable electricity standard (RES) and to pass renewable energy and efficiency tax incentives. These would be paid for by ending subsidies to big oil companies.

 

In response, the House passed H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act, which contains provisions to end unnecessary subsidies to profit-rich oil companies, instead providing tax incentives to invest in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency.  Unfortunately, the President has threatened to veto this critical legislation.

 

Congresswoman Sutton also secured $1,180,800 million for a carbon-based fuel cell project at the University of Akron. These fuel cells will be capable of heating 50 homes or serving as the backup generator for a hospital.

 

Congresswoman Sutton has also supported:

 

  • The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (Farm Bill). This legislation makes historic investments in affordable biofuels and increases Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight authority to detect and prevent manipulation of energy prices. This legislation passed into law over the President’s veto in May, 2008.

 

  • The America COMPETES Act, which promotes energy research and development of clean energy technologies. It also establishes the Advanced Research Projects Agency at the Department of Energy to engage in high-risk, high reward energy research and doubles budgets for research programs.

 

  • H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, which provides tax incentives for energy production and conservation, extends expiring tax provisions, and extends tax benefits to individuals and business taxpayers.  This legislation passed the House in May, 2008 and is now pending in the Senate.
  • H.R. 1300, the Program for Real Energy Security Act or PROGRESS Act which provides incentives for use of renewable fuels and technologies and encourages research and development.
  • H.R. 550, the Securing America’s Energy Independence Act, which extends solar and fuel cell tax credits.
  • H. Res. 987, To encourage American to join others across the country in using their rebate checks to invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient products and services in order to save money, stimulate the economy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • H.R. 197, which extends tax credits for electricity produced from certain renewable resources for 5 years.
  • H.R. 539, the Buildings for the 21st Century Act, which increases the allowable amount of the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial building costs through 2012.
  • H.R. 872, the National Endowment for Workforce Education in Renewables and Agriculture Act, which creates competitive grants to community colleges and advanced technology education centers in Midwestern states to support the education and training of technicians in the fields of bioenergy and other agricultural, renewable energy resources.
  • H.R. 1705, the BRIGHT Energy Savings Act, which requires public buildings to install energy efficient lighting.
  • H.R. 1772, the Rural Wind Energy Development Act, which creates a tax credit for the installation of wind energy property.
  • H.R. 2361, the Responsible Renewable Energy Tax Credit Act, which directs tax credits to renewable diesel. 

 


Working to Improve America’s Energy Efficiency

Congresswoman Sutton understands that Americans are struggling with high energy costs. To help families deal with high home heating costs, Congresswoman Sutton voted to increase funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by $400 billion. These funds help seniors and low-income families pay for heating costs during the winter. She also successfully pushed for the President to release emergency funding under the program, providing $450 million for our nation’s families.  Ohio families received $25,251,481 this past winter.

 

One of the best ways to save money on energy costs is to simply use less energy. That is why Congresswoman Sutton has been pushing to improve the nation’s energy efficiency. She is a cosponsor of H. R.1385, the EXTEND the Energy Efficiency Incentives Act which extends and enhances current energy efficiency tax credits, and creates new credits for homeowners and businesses. She also was a strong supporter of the Renewable Energy and Jobs Act which provides tax breaks and credits for individuals and businesses to encourage energy conservation and the use of alternative sources of energy to reduce oil consumption.

Congresswoman Sutton has been a leader in the effort to green our schools and make them more energy efficient. She introduced and led Floor debate on the Resolution leading to House passage of H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, which she cosponsored. This legislation makes grants and low interest loans to local educational agencies for the construction, modernization, or repair of public kindergarten, elementary, and secondary educational facilities.  This passed the House on June 4, 2008 and is now pending in the Senate.

Congresswoman Sutton also wants to give people alternatives to paying $4 a gallon for gas through quality public transportation. With Congresswoman Sutton’s support, the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act passed the House of Representatives in June, 2008. This legislation provides grants to local transit agencies, allowing them to expand service and reduce fares. As a result, overall funding for public transportation in Ohio will increase by over $44 million. By improving public transportation, we can save people money and take cars off the road, conserving gas and helping to improve our environment.