WALSH COSPONSORS BILLS TO INCREASE RENEWABLE ENERGY USE AND RAISE GAS MILEAGE IN CARS

(SYRACUSE, N.Y.)- Congressman Jim Walsh today announced that he is cosponsoring legislation that seeks to increase the use of renewable energy sources and make cars more fuel efficient.

H.R. 969 would establish a Federal Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, which would require that 20 percent of the nation’s electricity be generated from renewable energy sources by 2020, through a phased schedule beginning in 2010.

H.R. 1506, the Fuel Economy Reform Act, would for the first time in decades increase the minimum corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for the auto industry from 27.5 mpg to 35 mpg by 2018.

"Together these two bills will accelerate our move away from fossil fuels and lessen our dependence on foreign oil," said Walsh. "Expanding our use of homegrown renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass will create jobs, save consumers money, strengthen local economies and protect our environment."

A recent analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that a standard requiring 20 percent of electric generation from renewable energy sources by the year 2020 would create approximately 185,000 new high-paying jobs, provide a boost to the economy with $66.7 billion in new capital investment and save consumers at least $10.5 billion on their electric and natural gas bills.

The analysis also found that a 20 percent standard would provide the following benefits to the state of New York:

7,330 new jobs from renewable energy development.
$5 billion in new capital investment.
$701 million in income to farmers and rural landowners.
$140 million in new local tax revenues.
$1.1 billion in lower electricity and natural gas bills by 2020, growing to $2.67 billion by 2030.
 

Walsh will encourage his colleagues in the New York Delegation to support the legislation, which the House is expected to consider this week.

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