For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 06, 2007
Environment Rhode Island Applauds U.S. House for Approving Energy Bill
Statement of Environment Rhode Island Advocate Matt Auten:
“For years we have been urging Congress to follow the lead of
states like Rhode Island in helping to create a new energy future by
enacting policies to promote renewable energy and to make new cars go
further on a gallon of gas. Today the U.S. House responded today by
passing 235-181 a landmark energy bill that mandates electric utilities
get 15% of their energy from renewable energy sources by 2020 and
increases the fuel-economy of new cars and trucks to an average of 35
miles per-gallon by 2020."
"Environment Rhode Island applauds
Rep. Kennedy and Rep. Langevin for supporting this measure to promote
clean energy and save oil, and we hope that the Senate will act to
approve the same bill in the near future making this a truly green
holiday season."
Highlights of the bill include:
Promoting Clean Energy by following the lead of half the states
to establish a national renewable electricity standard, requiring
utilities to produce 15% of their electricity from renewable energy
sources by 2020. The bill also extends renewable energy production tax
credits for four years and investment tax credits for 8 years. A
national renewable electricity standard will substantially reduce
global warming pollution while sparking a clean energy boom across the
U.S. According to a recent analysis by Environment America, renewable
energy development in states with RES policies is already boosting
local economies by luring new manufacturing and other skilled jobs.
Reducing U.S. Dependence on Oil by increasing fuel economy
standards for cars and light trucks to 35 mpg by 2020. This would be
the first meaningful increase in fuel economy standards in more than 15
years. The provision replaces the current standards with an
attribute-based system that gives the auto industry tremendous
compliance flexibility by allowing for different mileage requirements
per vehicle size. The standards in the Senate bill would save 1.2
million barrels of oil a day in 2020, save consumers $25 billion at the
gas pumps, and substantially reduce global warming pollution. With oil
prices continuing to set new records above $80 a barrel, Americans want
new standards and more efficient vehicles now.
Saving energy by adopting strong energy-efficiency incentives
and standards. Both the House and Senate bills contain legislation that
would help Americans save energy in their homes and businesses. These
policies include appliance and lighting efficiency standards, tax
incentives, and building codes.
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