Rep. Watson Hails Passage of Historic Energy Security Legislation
Landmark Package Reduces Global Warming and Dependence on Foreign Oil
Washington, D.C.Today, Rep. Watson joined a majority in the U.S. House of Representative to pass a historic and sweeping bill to put our nation on a path toward energy independence.
"This measure will strengthen our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, lower energy costs, grow our economy and create new jobs, and begin to address global warming," stated Rep. Watson. "With the price at the pump skyrocketing here in Los Angeles, Congress has now taken swift and comprehensive action to build an energy independent future for America."
"Americans are ready to lead the world on clean alternative energy," said Rep. Watson. "Americans are ready to declare energy independence from foreign oilto strengthen our national security, grow our economy, reduce energy costs, and end global warming."
"For too long, Washington has dragged its feet. It denied the problem. It has let oil companies and foreign governments call the shots," said Rep. Watson. "The 110th Congress is taking America in a new direction. Our energy security plan is about reducing our dependence on foreign oil, relying instead on clean, renewable sources here in the United States, on American ingenuity, and on our entrepreneurial, can-do spirit."
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 and is supported by environmentalists, labor groups and the automobile industry (CAFE). 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. Here in Los Angeles, this provision would create much needed jobs and save families millions at the pump in 2020.
Lowers consumer energy costs. The bill requires for the first time that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources. It also will save consumers $440 billion through landmark new energy efficiency standards through 2030 for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting and buildings.
Creates new jobs. The bill will create new jobs, with the investment in renewable energy through tax incentives for solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal technologies and cutting-edge energy research, creating good paying jobs in rural communities across the country through a historic commitment to biofuels, training workers for 3 million new "green" jobs over the next 10 years and making small businesses leaders in renewable energy.
Strengthens our national security by reducing oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels a day in 2030, through the CAFE standard and a historic commitment to American-grown biofuels.
The bill overall will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 percent of what is needed by 2030 to save the planet.
"This bipartisan legislation has earned strong support of leaders in the business, labor, faith and environmental communities across the nation. We hope the President will reconsider his threat to veto this legislation, because all Americans have a stake in our fight for energy independence and lower energy costs," urged Rep Watson.