WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today joined Chairman Pete Domenici and Chairman Joe Barton on Capitol Hill to celebrate the upcoming first anniversary of the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), the first comprehensive energy legislation signed into law in more than a decade.

“Thanks to the Energy Policy Act we are seeing greater energy efficiency and diversity, a healthier environment, a stronger energy infrastructure, and enhanced energy security,” Secretary Bodman said.  “President Bush has long recognized the importance of energy policies that plan for our future and in the years to come, this Energy Bill will continue to transform the ways we use and produce energy as more people and businesses are able to take advantage of it.”

Since EPAct was signed into law more than a year ago, 27 new ethanol plants have broken ground and more than 400 E-85 pumps have been installed that offer home-grown fuel to Americans across the country.  There are 25 new nuclear reactors under consideration, and five new or expanded liquefied natural gas terminals have been approved for construction.  There has also been an increase in the use of both wind and solar energy, and 15 appliance efficiency standards have been implemented.

DOE is also in the process of finalizing three additional important requirements of EPAct.  The Energy Department will issue guidelines for loan guarantees that will facilitate private efforts, bringing the most promising clean energy technologies to market.  And the Department will outline a new risk insurance program to guard against bureaucratic hurdles in getting new nuclear power plants up and running.  DOE will also release a report identifying the most critical areas of electricity transmission congestion. 

EPAct was passed by Congress on July 29, 2005, and signed into law by President Bush on August 8, 2005.

Media contact(s):
Craig Stevens, (202) 586-4940