House Passes Historic Energy Package

Press Release

HOUSE PASSES HISTORIC ENERGY PACKAGE

WASHINGTON D.C. - By an impressive vote of 235 to 181, the United States House of Representatives today passed the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6). Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), the Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the Committee on Ways and Means, voted for the legislation.

"It has been far too long since we looked at how our energy choices today affect the world that our children and grandchildren will live in tomorrow," Rep. Becerra said. "H.R. 6 taps into the American entrepreneurial spirit by encouraging businesses to be the driving force behind our transition to become a greener, cleaner nation."

The cornerstone of the Energy Independence and Security Act increases the fuel efficiency of vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This is the first increase in a generation of the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard and is supported by environmentalists, labor groups and the automobile industry. This provision will save American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump with $22 billion in net annual consumer savings in 2020.

Specifically, the legislation:

* Requires for the first time that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources by 2020;

* Invests in renewable energy through tax incentives for solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal technologies and cutting-edge energy research, resulting in the future creation of good paying jobs in rural communities across the country;

* Strengthens our national security by reducing oil consumption by more than four million barrels a day in 2030; and

* Will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 percent of what is needed by 2030 to save the planet.

"This legislation was a primary goal for the New Direction Congress and shows once again how we are working in the best interests of the American people," Rep. Becerra said.

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