Sutton: "Energy Bill Vital for the Future of our Families in Ohio and Across the Nation"

Press Release

Sutton: "Energy Bill Vital for the Future of our Families in Ohio and Across the Nation"

Landmark legislation will bolster national security, protect the environment, create jobs and reduce energy costs

Congresswoman Sutton today spoke out in strong support of the energy bill, which passed by a margin of 235 to 181. The groundbreaking steps taken by the House today will increase the efficiency of our vehicles, make an historic commitment to American grown biofuels, require that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources, and strengthen energy efficiency for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting and buildings to reduce energy costs to consumers. The energy bill repeals tax breaks for profit-rich oil companies and invests that money in clean renewable energy and new American technologies.

"This bill has been a long time coming and will make significant strides in our effort to address global warming, save our families money on their energy bills and at the pump, and bolster our national security by mapping out a more energy-independent future for our country" said Sutton.

"The American people have spoken loud and clear that we cannot turn a blind eye to the crisis of global warming and astonishing gas prices squeezing the budgets for our working families" said Sutton. "This is an energy bill that advances many of the goals most important to our nation - energy independence, economic success, job security, lower energy costs and a cleaner environment. I am proud to speak out on behalf of the millions of Americans who have demanded a new course towards energy independence."

"This energy bill includes a long-overdue increase in CAFE standards and improves vehicle efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the first increase of this kind since 1975" said Sutton. "This significant increase in vehicle emission standards will save American families between $700 and $1,000 per year at the pump, and reduce oil consumption by 1.1 million gallons per day by 2020, which is one-half of what we currently import from the Persian Gulf. This bill will provide our domestic auto manufacturers with the tools and incentives they need to produce the vehicles of tomorrow here in the United States, keeping jobs at home, and allowing us to all move forward together."

The legislation also includes important provisions relating to energy production, standards and efficiency. Rep. Sutton strongly supported an amendment in the earlier House version of the bill and that was included in the new legislation that will require electric utilities to generate at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The bill includes landmark energy efficiency provisions that would save consumers and businesses hundreds of billions of dollars through 2030, including requiring more energy efficient appliances and requiring improved commercial and federal building energy efficiency.

Additionally, the bill commits to American biofuels by increasing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), while ensuring that biodiesel and cellulosic sources are a key part of the increase. And lastly, the legislation ensures American small businesses are helped by increasing loan limits to help small businesses develop energy efficient technologies and purchases.

Importantly for Ohio, the bill increases investment in small firms developing renewable energy solutions and creates an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program to train a quality workforce for "green" collar jobs, such as solar panel manufacturing and green building construction

The bill includes incentives for domestically produced hybrid vehicles by establishing a plug-in hybrid/electric vehicle tax credit for individuals and encourages the domestic development and production of advanced technology vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

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