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Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, joined a majority of her colleagues in the House today to pass historic and sweeping legislation to put us on a path toward energy independence. The bill, which was approved by a vote of 235 to 181, would strengthen our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, lower energy costs, grow our economy and create new jobs, and begin to address global warming.
Congresswoman Schakowsky submitted the following remarks into the Congressional Record in support of the Energy Independence and Security Act.
“Last November, the American people voted for change. They were frustrated with the direction our nation was taking and felt that we needed to set a new course. I am so proud to stand before you to say to my colleagues and most importantly the American people, that today we begin to chart that new course on energy policy.
For the first time in over 30 years, the House of Representatives will pass a significant energy bill one that reduces our dependence on foreign oil. Our addiction to oil has compromised our national security and causes tremendous damage to our environment.
While there are many things to be proud about in this bill, there are two that I would like to highlight. The first is the new fuel economy standard. Today, the average price of gasoline in the United States is well above three dollars. This puts a tremendous strain on the American people, who in many instances have no option aside from driving to get to work or bring their children to school. Today we pass a bill that raises fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for new cars. This provision alone will save American families between $700 and $1000 per year, by making their cars run more efficiently. It will also reduce oil consumption by 1.1 million gallons per day in 2020, approximately half of what we import from the Persian Gulf. This will reduce our dependence on oil which comes from the Middle East and politically unstable nations.
In addition to raising CAFE standards, the Energy Independence and Security Act also makes a commitment to integrate renewable energy sources into our supply. This commitment comes at precisely the right moment for America. We are at the precipice of developing new technology that will allow our nation to produce alternative energy more efficiently. In order for this development to be realized, however, we must guarantee a demand for the product. That is why the inclusion of a renewable portfolio standard is so important. It creates the demand necessary to spur development. The bill requires utility companies to generate 15 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. This will mean major investment in products made throughout the country, like ethanol in my home state, wind farms in California, and solar harnessing technology in Florida that will create new jobs and facilitate economic growth.
As important as the Energy Independence and Security Act is, it is just the first step and the road in front of us is long. We need an energy program that matches the scale of the threat we face. We will continue to build on the momentum we are creating and I look forward to the day when I can stand before you and say that the United States is completely energy independent.
In conclusion I would like to thank the Speaker and Chairman Dingell for their leadership on this bill throughout the process. We would not be here today without them.”
The cornerstone of the Energy Independence and Security Act increases the fuel efficiency of vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This is the first increase in a generation and is supported by environmentalists, labor groups and the automobile industry (CAFE). This provision will save American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump with $22 billion in net annual consumer savings in 2020. In Illinois, this provision would create 6,400 jobs and save families $807 million at the pump in 2020.
• Lowers consumer energy costs. The bill requires for the first time that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources saving consumers here in Illinois from $260 million to $600 million in 2020. It also will save consumers $440 billion through landmark new energy efficiency standards through 2030 for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting and buildings.
• Creates new jobs. The bill will create new jobs, with the investment in renewable energy through tax incentives for solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal technologies and cutting-edge energy research, creating good paying jobs in rural communities across the country through a historic commitment to biofuels, training workers for 3 million new “green” jobs over the next 10 years and making small businesses leaders in renewable energy.
• Strengthens our national security by reducing oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels a day in 2030, through the CAFE standard and a historic commitment to American-grown biofuels.
• The bill overall will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 percent of what is needed by 2030 to save the planet.
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