“This bill is a huge victory for Americans and ‘Exhibit A’ in showing the difference an election makes,” Miller said. “For years, the Republican Congress approved more subsidies for oil companies, tax breaks for Hummers, and oil drilling in pristine wilderness. Under Speaker Pelosi, in just one year, the Democratic Congress has changed course for America’s energy consumption. We have a long road ahead of us; we all know that. But as they say, every journey begins with a first step, and today we took a giant step first forward on this critical journey toward a sustainable, efficient, and profitable energy future for our country.

“This bill gives us the opportunity to break with the past, to break with the stranglehold of the old way of thinking, both about our transportation sector and about our energy sector,” Miller added. “To introduce into that sector the competition of alternative energy sources, of renewable energy sources, and efficient automobiles -- it will change America dramatically.”

The Energy Independence and Security Act, which Speaker Pelosi set as a personal priority against great odds earlier this year, will increase vehicle fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon in 2020—the first congressional increase in 32 years – and slash U.S. oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels per day by 2030. The legislation expands the use of American-grown biofuels to 36 billion gallons in 2022 and increases the efficiency of buildings, homes, appliances, and lighting. All totaled, the bill will help cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by up to 24 percent of what the U.S. needs to do to help protect our planet.

The legislation will also save money for American consumers and strengthen the economy. Increased vehicle fuel efficiency will save American families $700 to $1,000 a year at the pump and the new building, appliance, and lighting efficiency will save consumers $400 billion through 2030. Additionally, the development of biofuels and support for cutting-edge energy research will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

“Californians know the value of sustainable energy solutions – our state has led the nation in energy efficiency efforts,” Miller said. “This bill follows the state’s lead by making auto fuel efficiency and other energy saving steps a national priority. We know there is more that we can and must do, and we expect to start work on those other efforts immediately. But today’s bill is historic, it is essential, and it is good for our country.”

Among other things, the legislation: