Issue Position: Energy Independence and Security

Issue Position

Our nation's dependence on oil, including exports from some of the most volatile regions of the world, hurts our national security, economic security, and environment. That is why Congresswoman Lowey believes it is vital to reduce fossil fuel consumption and develop alternative new, clean, and advanced energy sources.

Decreasing Fossil Fuel Consumption

Congresswoman Lowey supports efforts to decrease U.S. consumption of oil and fossil fuels through:

Higher fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks;

Cutting greenhouse gas emissions; and

Energy-efficient building and retro-fitting to reduce the energy required to heat and cool homes, offices, and other buildings.

Developing Clean Energy Sources

Congresswoman Lowey also supports aggressive investment in clean energy sources that would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create millions of green jobs, and protect our environment from greenhouse gases and other toxic emissions.

Congresswoman Lowey has supported legislation that would invest billions of dollars to develop reliable wind, solar and biofuel energy sources; advanced batteries manufacturing; and efficient energy transmission.

She voted for an extension of the solar investment tax credit, which was utilized to help decrease the cost of the Clarkstown Landfill Solar Project in West Nyack, NY.

Opposing Giveaways to Big Oil

Congresswoman Lowey has consistently opposed energy measures that would endanger the environment or perpetuate our dependence on fossil fuels. She has opposed:

Opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to extensive oil and gas drilling, which would provide billions in royalties and tax breaks to big oil companies;

Tax breaks and subsidies for companies producing the most environmentally dangerous forms of energy; and

Forcing taxpayers -- rather than manufacturers -- to shoulder the burden of cleaning contaminants that affect our air, land, and water.

Nuclear Security

September 11th and the nuclear dangers following the 2011 earthquake in Japan underscored the vulnerability of our nuclear power plants to catastrophic terrorist attack and natural disasters. Congresswoman Lowey believes the threat posed by the Indian Point nuclear plants is unacceptable because of the densely-populated surrounding area and the difficulty of safe and orderly evacuation in the event of an emergency.

That is why she is working with Governor Cuomo and the New York Congressional delegation to develop alternative energy production and transmission sources in the event of the decommissioning of Indian Point.

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