Memendez Cosponsors Sweeping Energy Legislation to Increase American Energy Independence

MENENDEZ COSPONSORS SWEEPING ENERGY LEGISLATION TO INCREASE AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

Clean EDGE Act spurs investment in new technologies, fuels

United States Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today joined fellow Democrats in sponsoring sweeping energy legislation, calling for a major investment in the research, development, and production of the alternative energy vehicles, fuels, and technologies that will break our nation's addiction to foreign oil. This legislation, the Clean EDGE Act, is the latest plank in EI2020, the Democratic campaign announced last October to make America energy independent by the year 2020.

"America can indeed kick its addiction to oil, but only with a firm commitment to new technologies, alternative energies, and by increasing our efficiency standards," Menendez said. "This legislation is a comprehensive bill that will actually decrease America's energy dependence through research and innovation, as opposed to giving away billions to the oil and gas industry - a method favored by the Bush administration."

The Clean EDGE Act will launch an aggressive effort to increase the number of alternative fuel vehicles sold; protect consumers from gas price gouging and market manipulation; reduce our dependence on fossil fuels; put the Federal government in the lead in reducing our dependence on foreign oil; and level the playing field for new renewable and energy efficient technologies. Menendez has also called for increased fuel efficiency standards.

In a commencement address to graduates of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University earlier this week, Menendez called for an Apollo-style project to establish America's independence from foreign oil. Menendez told graduates that throughout the 20th century, America harnessed its unique spirit of innovation and strength of character to defeat fascism, put a man on the moon, and win the cold war, and urged a similar national commitment to end the country's addiction to oil.

http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=255761&&