Package marks landmark step towards energy independence in long term, lower gas prices in short term

Washington, DC – Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) today voted with a majority of his colleagues to pass a historic package of energy legislation. The package of bills, passed together as the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 6899), contains provisions to bring down gas prices in the short term and set America on a path to energy independence in the long term.

“This comprehensive energy package is exactly what Americans have been waiting for since the 1973 Arab oil embargo,” Klein said. “The sooner we end our dependence on oil, the better for our economy and our national security. This legislation does it all - it will bring down gas prices in the short term and provide the innovative, incentive-based investment we need to achieve energy independence in the long term.”

The energy package passed by the U.S. House makes a real investment in alternative energy and creates hundreds of thousands of new jobs. It includes $18 billion in tax cuts for individuals and businesses investing in renewable electricity, solar and wind energy and plug-in hybrid cars.

“I have always believed that the same American ingenuity that took us to the moon could solve our energy crisis, and this package provides the necessary incentives for our scientists and entrepreneurs to develop the next generation of clean, affordable energy sources,” Klein said.

Due to the hard work of a united Florida Democratic delegation, H.R. 6899 preserves Florida’s coastline, costal economy and military training areas by keeping the current, bipartisan moratorium on offshore oil drilling in place until at least 2022. The legislation also contains the “drill it or lose it” provision previously supported by Congressman Klein, which forces oil companies to drill on the 68,000,000 million acres of land and offshore areas that they currently control before obtaining new leases for additional public land.

The Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act also:

• Provides tax incentives and loans for energy efficient homes, buildings and appliances;
• Requires utility companies to generate 15 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020, to reduce emissions and lower energy prices, saving consumers $13-18 billion;
• Cracks down on extreme misconduct at the Mineral Management Service, the agency charged with collecting royalties from oil and gas companies.