Rep. Loebsack Votes to Create New Jobs Through Renewable Energy Investment

Press Release

REP. LOEBSACK VOTES TO CREATE NEW JOBS THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT

Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack joined his colleagues in the House to pass a historic bill to create more green jobs in Iowa and place our nation on a path toward energy independence. The Energy Independence and Security Act, H.R.6, which passed by a vote of 235-181, will grow our economy and create new jobs, strengthen our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, lower energy costs, and begin to address global warming.

"By making a significant investment in the development of renewable energy, this legislation takes an important step forward in helping to increase the use of Iowa's homegrown fuels, create new jobs in our state and bring increased economic development to our rural areas," said Congressman Loebsack. "Today we changed our nation's energy policy for the better. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure even greater exploration and development of renewable energy sources."

The Energy Independence and Security Act would use funds raised from repealing tax breaks for the oil and gas industry to accelerate the use of clean domestic renewable energy sources and alternative fuels, promote the use of energy-efficient products, practices and conservation and to increase research, development and deployment of clean renewable energy and efficiency technologies.

Specifically, this legislation will:

* Create 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.

* Lower consumer energy costs. The bill requires for the first time that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources saving consumers here in Iowa from $70 million to $130 million in 2020. 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.

* Strengthen 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, and environmental communities across the nation.

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