Markey: Obama’s Energy Plan Has Majority House Support
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chairman Ed Markey, 202-225-4081
Obama’s Energy Plan Has Majority House Support
Republicans Blocking Responsible Drilling, Oil Reserve Use, Renewable Energy Policies
WASHINGTON (August 4, 2008) – The major tenets of an energy plan announced today by Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has the support of a majority of House members, but is being blocked by Republican leadership who have voted against policies to encourage responsible drilling, short-term price relief, and a long-term shift to renewable energy.“When it comes to energy and global warming policies, Senator Obama gets it. America has an opportunity to finally move beyond oil and towards renewable energy, but Republicans continue to block this shift and only focus on what they can do to help profit-rich oil companies,” said Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Senator Obama will be in Boston tonight. “In fact, the House has won a majority of votes on many of Senator Obama’s proposals, only to have the initiatives blocked by Senator McCain, the White House and other allies of Big Oil.”
Senator Obama’s plan included the following initiatives that have won majority support in the House, only to be blocked by Republicans either in the House or Senate:
--“Use It or Lose It” legislation to compel oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres of land and sea they have but on which they are not producing.
--A release of 70 million barrels of light crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and modernizing the system by swapping in heavy crude oil.
--A renewable electricity standard to set a percentage of energy produced by clean energy like wind and solar.
--An extension of tax incentives for renewable energy, plug-in hybrids and other technologies.
“While the House and Senate passed an energy bill in December which will increase the fuel economy of America’s vehicles and the amount of advanced biofuels available for drivers’ fuel tanks, Republicans are continuing to block further measures to help consumers at the pump and lay the groundwork for a long-term shift to clean, renewable energy,” said Chairman Markey.
This fall, the House will push to bring a renewable electricity standard and tax incentive extensions for renewable energy and high-mileage vehicles. Chairman Markey, Speaker Pelosi and other House leaders have committed to push for these important policies.
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The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was formed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to increase the visibility and priority given to America's oil dependence and global warming challenges. It is chaired by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and will actively explore the solutions, science and progress on these pressing issues during the 110th Congress.
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