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Energy
“America deserves a comprehensive energy plan for the 21st century. The goals of a responsible national energy policy should be to reduce our dependence on dangerous and finite sources of energy, protect and enhance our nation's security and economy, and harness domestic technologies that can create jobs while delivering clean, reliable energy to consumers.”
Crowley Working to Lower Energy and Gas Prices:
- Successfully pressured the White House in 2008 to release Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) emergency home heating funds to New Yorkers to help them get through another tough winter. Due to his efforts, New York received an additional $538 million.
- Working with New York State Governor’s office to increase payments from the New York State’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for those living in condos and co-ops so that these payments match the rates paid to those living in apartments and houses.
- Voted to crack down on price gouging through the Energy Price Gouging Prevention Act, which gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to investigate and punish those who artificially inflate the price of energy.
- Supported the Energy Independence and Security Act, which, by increasing vehicle fuel efficiency, will save American families $700 to $1,000 a year at the pump.
- Believes that we must use diplomacy with our OPEC allies and demand increased production of oil to lower gas and energy prices.
Issues Menu
Crowley on Lowering our Dependence on Gasoline:
- Successfully voted to increase vehicle fuel efficiency standards (also known as “CAFE standards”) to 35 miles per gallon in 2020 – the first congressional increase in 32 years. This action has the equivalent effect of taking 28 million vehicles off the road.
- Enacted into law an increased reliance on American-grown biofuels in the Energy Independence and Security Act, which will lead to the production of 36 billion gallons in 2022 – helping to wean the U.S. off of Middle-Eastern oil.
- Worked to pass a Renewable Fuels Standard in the House of Representatives, which would provide states and utilities with hard targets on replacing the use of foreign oil with renewable fuels.
Crowley is Investing in Safe, Clean Technologies:
- Supports investments in renewable energy sources, such as ethanol, wind, and solar power.
- Believes it is essential to develop clean energy sources, instead of drilling or mining for more polluting resources.
- Opposes drilling in sensitive and ecologically unique areas such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
- Working to secure Federal funds for the development of mass transit projects, including a rail link to connect John F. Kennedy Airport to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island.
- Encourages the development of “green” buildings, much like the new SilverCup Studios building and the new Citi Building in Long Island City, or the planned Via Verde complex in the Bronx.
Crowley Demanding Accountability for Electric Utilities:
- Urged investigation of ConEdison’s failures during the 2006 10-day Queens blackout to identify what went wrong and ensure it would not happen again.
- Opposed rate hikes that would unfairly burden the very Queens residents and businesses that suffered through the blackout.
- Called on ConEd to establish stronger outreach with Queens neighborhoods through sharing information in different languages, utilizing ethnic media and creating an effective information-sharing network with community service organizations.
- Worked to simplify ConEd’s reimbursement process for food spoiled as a result of the power outage, and to include medications as reimbursable items.