U.S. Senator Ken Salazar

Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees

 

2300 15th Street, Suite 450 Denver, CO 80202 | 702 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

 

 

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

CONTACT:Michael Amodeo – 303-249-5286
Matt Lee-Ashley – 202-228-5905

Comprehensive, Bipartisan Energy Legislation Gains Traction

“Gang of 10” Expands to “Gang of 16”

DENVER, CO – The effort to pass bipartisan, comprehensive energy legislation gained steam today with the announcement that the “Gang of 10” is expanding by six Senators, including Senator Salazar. This new “Gang of 16” includes eight Republican and eight Democratic Senators who have voiced support for the comprehensive New Energy Reform Act of 2008, or ‘New ERA,’ an energy proposal to reduce gas prices, lessen our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and strengthen America’s economy.

“With gas prices taking such a toll on American families, we have to break the gridlock in the U.S. Senate and deliver energy solutions to the American people. The New ERA bill is a great starting point, and I’m proud to join my colleagues on this new ‘Gang of 16’. This is the spirit in which Washington should work: Democrats and Republicans reaching across the aisle to work together to deliver results.

“This bill will help expand production, including in areas of the Gulf of Mexico, build our clean energy economy, and give consumers the choices they should have at the filling station. Importantly, it takes steps toward balancing the playing field by rolling back tax breaks for big oil to allow us to invest in our clean energy future.

This bill gives us a way to beyond the partisanship toward real, honest solutions for American families.”

In addition to Sen. Salazar, the “Gang of 16” includes: U.S. Senators Kent Conrad, D-ND, Saxby Chambliss, R-GA, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., Mary Landrieu, D-La., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., Bob Corker, R-Tenn., Mark Pryor, D-Ark., Ben Nelson, D-Neb., John Warner, R-Va., Tim Johnson, D-S.D., Norm Coleman, R-Minn., Tom Carper, D-Del., John Sununu, R-N.H., and John Thune, R-S.D.

To read more about the Gang of 10’s proposal, click here.

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