Energy Independence

Our nation’s dependence on oil, including exports from some of the most volatile regions of the world, is a liability for our national security, economic security, and environment.  That is why Congresswoman Lowey believes it is vital to reduce fossil fuel consumption and develop alternative new, clean, and advanced energy sources. 

Decreasing Fossil Fuel Consumption

Congresswoman Lowey supports efforts to decrease U.S. consumption of oil and fossil fuels through:

• Higher fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks;
   
• Cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing sector; and
   
• Energy-efficient building and retro-fitting to reduce the energy required to heat and cool homes, offices, and other buildings.

Developing Clean Energy Sources

Congresswoman Lowey also supports aggressive investment in clean energy sources that would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create millions of green jobs, and protect our environment from greenhouse gases and other toxic emissions.

Congresswoman Lowey has supported legislation that would invest billions of dollars to develop reliable wind, solar and biofuel energy sources; advanced batteries manufacturing; and efficient energy transmission.

Opposing Giveaways to Big Oil

Congresswoman Lowey has consistently opposed energy measures that would endanger the environment or perpetuate our dependence on fossil fuels.  She has opposed:

• Opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to extensive oil and gas drilling, which would provide billions in royalties and tax breaks to big oil companies;
   
• Tax breaks and subsidies for companies producing the most environmentally dangerous forms of energy; and
   
• Forcing taxpayers – rather than manufacturers – to shoulder the burden of cleaning contaminants that affect our air, land, and water.

Nuclear Security

September 11^th and the nuclear dangers following the 2011 earthquake in Japan underscored the vulnerability of our nuclear power plants to catastrophic terrorist attack and natural disasters.  Congresswoman Lowey believes the threat posed by the Indian Point nuclear plants is unacceptable because of the densely-populated surrounding area and the difficulty of safe and orderly evacuation in the event of an emergency.  

That is why she is working with Governor Cuomo and the New York Congressional delegation to develop alternative energy production and transmission sources in the event of the decommissioning of Indian Point.   

Congresswoman Lowey supports efforts to increase the safety and security of nuclear facilities and surrounding areas:

• Require that any nuclear plant receiving a renewed license meet the same standards that a new plant would be required to meet, including evaluations of population density, evacuation procedures, and seismic and scientific data not available at the time of the initial license;
   
• Require that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) distribute funds collected as fines for safety violations to counties surrounding nuclear facilities, which are required to maintain radiological emergency plans;
   
• Authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish no-fly zones around nuclear facilities located near major metropolitan areas, including Indian Point;
   
• Mandate an Independent Safety Assessment of the design, construction, maintenance, and operational safety of Indian Point, as well as an evaluation of its radiological emergency plan by the Department of Homeland Security; and
   
• Mandate state and county certification of emergency plans as a precondition for the continued operation of all commercial nuclear power plants.