REP. ANDREWS BACKS LANDMARK ENERGY LEGISLATION: Signed Into Law

Law Will Make Vehicles More Efficient, Cut Energy Costs, Fight Global Warming

I am pleased to announce the enactment of the Energy Independence and Security Act, landmark energy legislation that will make America more energy independent, cut energy costs for families, reduce global warming, and grow our economy.  This historic legislation was signed into law by the President on Wednesday.

For too long, Congress has failed to address our energy challenge, and consumers throughout the country have paid the price. The enactment of this law reversed that sad legacy and made key energy reforms a reality.

The Energy Independence and Security Act will increase vehicle fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon in 2020—the first congressional increase in 32 years – and slash U.S. oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels per day by 2030. The legislation also expands the use of American-grown biofuels to 36 billion gallons in 2022 increases the efficiency of buildings, homes, appliances, and lighting. All totaled it cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by up to 24 percent of what the U.S. needs to do to help save the planet.

The legislation will also save money for American consumers and strengthen the economy. Increased vehicle fuel efficiency will save American families $700 to $1,000 a year at the pump and the new building, appliance, and lighting efficiency will save consumers $400 billion through 2030. Additionally, the development of biofuels and support for cutting-edge energy research will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

Families are paying too much on the gas pump and our nation is weakened by our dependence on oil from the Middle East. This law will begin to end our reliance on foreign oil, save money for families and help fight global warming.

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