Majority Whip Clyburn : MajorityWhip.gov

House Approves Bill to Create Jobs, Invest in Renewable Energy

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today released the following statement regarding passage of H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008: 

“Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a fiscally responsible and environmentally conscious energy bill that seeks to reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil and aid those Americans struggling to pay high gas costs. H.R. 5351 comprehensively invests resources into our wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems.  Furthermore, this legislation extends tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol based fuels.     
 
“Since President Bush took office, gas prices are up 109%, and home heating prices are up 222%.  Over the same time period, oil company profits are up 313%.  With record oil prices and surging gasoline fees limiting the mobility of our nation’s travelers, now is the time to move our nation’s energy policies in a New Direction. 

“The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act will invest in home-grown, American-owned energy supplies, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, make America less dependent on foreign oil, and reduce global warming.  I call on President Bush to end his veto threat of this vital legislation and to join the Congress in supporting an energy bill for today and future generations.”