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Dear Friends:
Last week, the U.S. Senate passed an energy package that included my goal of significantly reducing U.S. dependence on foreign energy by mandating that we get 90% of our energy from domestic sources.
The Senate bill includes my proposal for a bipartisan National Commission on Energy Independence. The commission would create a framework in which we can continue to monitor and adjust our nation's energy policy to ensure that we achieve energy independence as soon as possible. That's an important commitment because our continued dependence on foreign energy threatens our economy, endangers our national security, harms our environment and contributes to global warming.
An important provision in the Senate bill is a significant increase in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards from 25 mpg to 35 mpg by 2020. This increase will help reduce American gasoline consumption by more than 1 million gallons a day.
The Senate bill also calls for research and development of renewable fuels. Maryland companies are at the forefront of biodiesel development, solar technology, wind power, and cellulosic energy. This legislation will ensure that more Americans have access to renewable fuel.
I also am pleased that another Cardin Amendment was wrapped into the energy package as part of a "green building" initiative. It would require that new federal buildings or federal redevelopment projects deal with storm water runoff. Storm water runoff carries pollutants to streams and rivers and poses a significant problem for the Chesapeake Bay. We have the technology to reduce storm water runoff and this legislation will ensure that we implement it.
The CLEAN Energy Act now moves over to the House for consideration.
Best wishes.
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