STEARNS, A COSPONSOR OF THE BILL, HELPED DEVELOP FINAL BILL AS A MEMBER OF ENERGY & COMMERCE COMMITTEE

Washington, Apr 21, 2005 - "Today, the House has taken a big step toward enhancing America's security and economic well-being by approving H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala).  "Our economy and our national security depend on access to reliable and affordable energy.  This legislation will increase domestic production of energy, reduce our dependency on imports, expand the used of alternative fuels, and improve energy efficiency while safeguarding our environment."  Stearns is a cosponsor of the bill and helped to develop the legislation as a member of the Energy & Commerce Committee.

H.R. 6:

* Addresses rising gasoline prices by encouraging more domestic production of oil with incentives such as a streamlined permit process; promotes a greater refining capacity to bring more oil to market; and increases the gasoline supply by stopping the proliferation of expensive regional boutique fuels (varying regional air-quality standards require different formulations of gasoline).
* Reduces our dangerous dependence on imported oil by expanding domestic oil and gas development, including opening a small portion of the Artic National Wildlife Refuge, and authorizes the expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to 1 billion barrels.
* Promotes clean and renewable fuels by providing incentives for clean coal technology and renewable energies such as biomass, wind, solar, and hydroelectricity.
* Requires greater energy conservation by establishing new mandatory efficiency requirements for federal buildings, and efficiency standards and product labeling for battery chargers, commercial refrigerators, freezers, unit heaters, and other household products.

Added Stearns, "Currently, the U.S. imports about 60 percent of its oil, much of it from the Middle East.  The Department of Energy projects this number will increase to 73 percent by the year 2025.  It is vital that we reduce this dependency on foreign suppliers.  In addition, this measure encourages new technologies to reduce the demand for oil, such as vehicles power by hydrogen fuel cells.  In all, H.R. 6 will increase the availability and affordability of energy while safeguarding our environment."