Hoyer Backs Comprehensive House Energy Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) joined a majority in the House of Representatives today in backing the Comprehensive Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 6899) - an expansive energy plan that will fight the rising cost of energy and curtail America's dependence on foreign oil by responsibly expanding domestic drilling, investing in renewable energy and promoting greater energy efficiency and conservation.
"There is no greater threat to our economic, national and environmental security than our dangerous dependence on foreign oil," stated Rep. Hoyer. "It is this dependence - which has grown under the failed policies of the current Administration - that has driven energy costs to today's onerous levels and that will continue to hold Americans hostage if we do not act.
"Unlike previous Congresses, the Democratic majority has made energy independence a top priority, having already acted to boost investments in alternative energy and increasing fuel efficiency standards for the first time in 32 years. Today, we take another critical step in reducing our foreign oil dependence and ultimately reducing gas prices with a comprehensive energy package that includes 21st century solutions to our greatest energy challenges."
The comprehensive plan expands domestic production of oil and gas and renewables to increase security, ends subsidies to oil companies awash in record profits, promotes good jobs here in America, and requires big oil companies earning record profits to pay royalties owed to taxpayers. In addition, it puts America on the path toward energy independence and a clean energy future through greater energy efficiency and conservation, and protects consumers through strong action to lower the price at the pump.
The Comprehensive Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act will:
- Lower Costs and Protects Consumers: Includes royalty reform to ensure the oil industry pays its fair share for drilling on public lands; repeals tax subsidies to oil companies making record profits; temporarily releases 10% of the oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and takes aggressive measures to crack down on misconduct at the federal agency charged with collecting royalties for oil and gas companies.
- Responsibly Expand Domestic Energy Supply: Opens up additional drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) drilling (permits leasing between 50 and 100 miles offshore if a State ‘opts-in' to allow leasing off its coastline; remaining OCS beyond 100 miles would be open to leasing); makes oil companies accountable for drilling progress on the 68 million acres of federal lands they already control; increases oil production in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska; and promotes natural gas, E-85 infrastructure, carbon capture and sequestration.
- Create American Jobs, Investing in Renewable Energy: Extends and expands renewable energy tax incentives; invests in renewable energy, energy efficiency and home heating assistance (LIHEAP); and requires utility companies to generate 15 percent of electricity from renewable sources ‐‐ such as wind power, biomass, wave, tidal, geothermal and solar ‐‐ by 2020.
- Promote Greater Energy Efficiency and Conservation: Strengthens energy efficiency in buildings; provides incentives for energy efficient homes; and encourages public transit by reducing fares.
The New Direction Congress has taken critical steps to address our nation's energy independence. Last year, Congress passed and the President signed historic energy legislation with provisions to combat oil market manipulation, increase vehicle fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon in 2020 - the first Congressional increase in more than three decades - and promote the use of more affordable American biofuels. The House has also passed several other measures to combat rising gas prices, but which have been opposed by the President.