For Immediate Release/ Puja Patel - 202-225-2095
MILLER STRONGLY SUPPORTS NEW DIRECTION ENERGY BILL,URGES CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT TO SUPPORT IT
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC -- The House of Representatives is expected to approve ambitious energy legislation today or tomorrow that will improve automobile fuel efficiency standards and that reflects the Democratic Congress’ commitment to reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil and the pollution that causes global warming, said Rep. George Miller (D-CA).
Miller praised the bill.
“This bill is a major step forward for the U.S. and a significant accomplishment for the new Democratic leadership in Congress,” Miller said. “At the beginning of this year, Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged to pass a major energy bill and many skeptics said legislation of this magnitude was not going to be possible. But now we have a bill that reflects the priorities of average Americans, to require greater fuel efficiency for our cars and trucks, to reduce climate change, and to make our country more secure.
“This is a very important bill for the environment and our economy,” Miller added. “The bill will help reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, stimulate new sources of clean renewable energy, save consumers and businesses hundreds of billions of dollars, and create good jobs here in America. This bill helps to take America in a new direction – toward renewable energy and conservation and away from an economy and political system that is dependent on oil, coal and natural gas.”
Among other things, the legislation:
Will increase fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for new cars and trucks, a historic fuel economy compromise that is supported by labor, the environmental community, and the automobile industry. This is the first increase by Congress since 1975, and is projected to save American families $700 to $1000 per year at the pump, with $22 billion in net consumer savings in 2020 alone. The current average is 25 mpg.
Contains numerous provisions to improve energy efficiency, promote the use of renewable energy, including biofuels, and increase mass transit use -- all of which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from American homes, offices, industries, vehicles, and federal facilities.
Supports Green Collar jobs by creating an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program to train a quality workforce for new energy jobs like solar panel manufacturers and green building construction workers. This provision was developed and approved by the Education and Labor Committee that Miller chairs, and was inspired by a program in the Bay Area of California.
###
 We post many documents in .pdf format. Please visit Adobe to download the free viewer if you do not already have this capability.
|
