Declaration of Energy Independence: Ending Addiction to Oil Will Strengthen National Security, Reduce Energy Costs
On July 4, we celebrate the anniversary of the day our nation claimed its independence and a new era of democracy and freedom began. Two-hundred and thirty one years later, we find ourselves engaged in a new battle for independence – energy independence – that holds serious consequences for the future economic, environmental, and national security of our nation.
For years, Washington has dragged its feet, denied the problem, and failed to take seriously the threats posed by our over-reliance on foreign oil. But it is unequivocally clear that Americans are ready to declare energy independence —to strengthen our national security, grow our economy, reduce energy costs, and end global warming.
And this Congress is ready to answer the call. Last week, I joined the Speaker and numerous Committee Chairman to launch an ambitious legislative agenda to achieve real energy independence -strengthening our national security, growing our economy and creating new jobs, lowering energy prices, and beginning to address global warming. Our Energy Independence Day plan is about harnessing power - the clean, renewable sources all around us - and American ingenuity, and entrepreneurial, can-do spirit to move our nation toward energy independence.
The initiative builds on the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, when the House passed a bipartisan measure to repeal $14 billion in tax subsidies for oil companies and gas companies to invest in clean, alternative energy. The House is also boosting investments in energy independence and global climate change by 30 percent.
Specifically, we will reduce our dependence on foreign oil - and thereby strengthen our national security - by making the largest investment in homegrown biofuels in history. We will provide grants and tax incentives to boost the number of e-85 ethanol pumps, assist our farmers in purchasing renewable energy systems, and provide long-term incentives for companies to invest in renewable energy, and ramp up our research efforts.
Furthermore, our proposals seek to reduce energy costs for consumers by promoting greater efficiency and smarter technology. Our package includes new efficiency standards for appliances - which, when implemented, will remove 8.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2030. We will encourage the development and production of advanced technology vehicles, and the next generation of vehicle batteries and plug-in hybrids.
And, it's long past time that we exercise some common-sense and close the 'Hummer tax loophole.' Instead, we will establish a $4,000 plug-in hybrid tax credit that encourages the production of advanced technology vehicles.
Thirty years ago, during an unprecedented national energy crisis, President Carter said: "With the exception of preventing war, this is the greatest challenge our country will face during our lifetimes." Because our nation has too often failed to make the hard decisions needed to move toward energy independence, President Carter's admonition is as relevant today as it was back then. We simply cannot ignore our addiction to foreign sources of oil any longer.On this Fourth of July it is time once again to declare our independence and empower our nation to take control of our future. Doing so will strengthen our national security, boost our economy, create more jobs, and protect our environment for future generations. Now is the time to seize the initiative, and that is precisely what we will do in July when we begin to consider these measures on the House Floor.