Conrad and Gang of 20 Meet with T. Boone Pickens
Press Release
Conrad and Gang of 20 Meet with T. Boone Pickens
Senator's Bipartisan Coalition Discusses Energy Future, Plans to Introduce New Era
Senator Kent Conrad and members of a bipartisan coalition he formed known as the Gang of 20, today met with businessman T. Boone Pickens to discuss strategies to break America's addiction to foreign oil.
"There are some really good ideas in Mr. Pickens plan for energy independence, many of which are included in our New Energy Reform Act," Senator Conrad said. "I applaud Mr. Pickens for helping focus attention on a critically important issue and giving the public a better understanding of the serious challenges of America's energy future."
Pickens, a Texas oilman, outlined his proposal to reduce America's dependence on oil and develop clean-energy technologies like wind and solar. A main component of the plan creates a wind corridor stretching from Texas through North Dakota. Power generated by these wind farms would replace energy produced by natural gas, which would then be used to fuel vehicles instead.
Senator Conrad and the Gang of 20 have drafted an even more comprehensive energy proposal. The New Energy Reform Act better known as New Era calls for a focused effort to transition 85percent of the nation's motor vehicle fleets to fuels other than gasoline and diesel by 2028. To ease gas prices in the interim, the bipartisan proposal includes significant conservation provisions, efficiency standards, and responsible measures to increase domestic production of oil and gas.
The Gang of 20 plans to introduce the New Era bill when the Senate reconvenes after the elections. Senator Conrad hopes New Era will be the basis for a plan to increase domestic energy production and bring even greater economic security to our nation.
"Families in North Dakota and across the nation are desperate for relief from skyrocketing energy prices," Senator Conrad said. "It's time for action rather than rhetoric. I am committed to working on a comprehensive energy plan to lessen our nation's dependence on foreign oil and strengthen America's economy. The New Era bill should be among the first orders of business when Congress reconvenes."
The New Era plan has been endorsed by 20 senators - ten Republicans and ten Democrats. The plan emerged from negotiations led by Senator Conrad and Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.).
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