Issue Position: Energy & Environment

Issue Position

As a founding member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and the Green Schools Caucus, I have worked to balance our nation's urgent energy priorities with the protection of our environment. Energy independence is not just about lower gas prices -- it means greater national security and increased innovation that will spur economic recovery and American global leadership in the development of advanced energy technologies.

Congressman Courtney's Work on Key Energy and Environmental Issues:

Promoting Renewable Energy and Efficiency. I strongly support tax incentives for the purchase and installation of energy efficient improvements in residential and commercial buildings, as well as appliances, in order to spur innovation and accelerate market adoption of "Green technologies." I have also worked to enact legislation to increase the fuel economy standards for automobiles for the first time in more than 30 years, to 35 miles per gallon in 2020. Understanding the importance of investments in energy efficiency to our economic recovery, I supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to invest more than $60 billion in weatherization assistance, loan guarantees, and tax credits to improve the energy efficiency of homes and businesses.

Working towards energy independence. Today, our nation remains dangerously dependent on foreign sources of oil. We have seen oil sell from $35 to $135 a barrel in just a six month span -- placing enormous burdens on our families, our businesses and our nation. To this end, I have worked on comprehensive efforts to end our dependence on foreign oil, including: spurring innovation in advanced energy technologies, investing in energy efficient buildings and cars, cracking down on excessive speculation in the energy markets, and promoting responsible exploration for domestic sources of oil.

Protecting eastern Connecticut's environmental treasures for future generations. Our region is proud to be the home of unmatched environmental icons, from the southern shores of Connecticut to the rolling hills of the northeast corner of the state. In Congress, I have passed legislation to protect the Eight Mile River and the Quinnebaug Shetucket Corridor. In addition, I have been a leading advocate for the Long Island Sound -- opposing efforts to build a massive gas plant in its waters and ensuring that stewards of the Sound have the resources they need to preserve and protect it.

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