HOUSE PASSES ENERGY BILL, BUT CASTLE SAYS WE CAN STILL DO MORE
Washington
| December 18, 2007 -
Today Delaware Congressman Mike Castle voted for H.R. 6, Energy Independence and Security Act, which passed 314-100.
While Rep. Castle had some concerns with what was not included in the
final package, he believes this bill helps our nation take vital steps
forward in reducing harmful emissions.
"Congress
took a strong step toward securing a cleaner future by reducing the
nation's dependence on fossil fuels and improving national security by
raising fuel economy standards for the first time in 30 years, boosting
our renewable fuel standard, and improving the efficiency of our
appliances and buildings," Rep. Castle said. "Passage
of H.R. 6 will help save consumers money and provide business
opportunities, which will stimulate economic growth and create new jobs.
"The
increase in CAFE to 35 mpg, coupled with the five-fold increase in
biofuels, will amount to a savings of over 2 million barrels of oil a
day in 2020. Raising fuel economy is not new and the proposals for how
it should be achieved have differed greatly over the years, and I am
proud to support an agreement reached by Congress, automakers, and environmental groups alike.
"I
am, however, disappointed that the Senate dropped two important
provisions, to require a 15 percent national renewable electricity
standard and the tax credits for renewables and efficiency, and I
feel that these issues remain vital moving forward. We must look at
all sectors of the economy moving forward, not only Transportation.
"Congress
must not waste time in tackling climate change. I support acting
immediately to avoid the potentially catastrophic repercussions of
climate change by reducing emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses and
enacting the kind of reform business and industry need to grow the
economy and stabilize the climate.
"Our work has just begun."
Specifically, H.R. 6, Energy Independence and Security Act, will:
· Increase the fuel economy for automobiles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020;
· Bolsters energy efficiency requirements for buildings and appliances; and
· Increases
amount of biofuels to be blended with conventional fuels to 36 billion
gallons by 2022 and requires increased use of materials other than
corn, such as sweet sorghum, rice straw, and switchgrass, in producing
biofuels.
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