McHugh Continues Fighting for Legislation to Address America's Energy Crisis

Press Release

McHugh Continues Fighting For Legislation to Address America's Energy Crisis

Congressman Announces Cosponsorship of Legislation to Increase Domestic Energy Supply

Congressman John M. McHugh (R- Pierrepont Manor) announced today that he is an original cosponsor of a new energy bill in the House, H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act. The American Energy Act is a comprehensive measure designed to help reduce gas prices by increasing domestic energy production, using new technologies, and by encouraging greater conservation and efficiency. Congressman McHugh has continued to call on Democratic leaders in Congress to allow a vote on a meaningful piece of energy legislation before the August recess to help his constituents tackle high gas prices and projected increases in home heating costs this winter.

"There is no one solution to today's energy crisis - but there are steps we can take that will provide both short-term and long-term relief to Americans who are struggling with rising prices. The key component of long-term relief is increasing supply across the board. This includes exploring deep sea resources and domestic locations such as ANWR, increasing our investment in renewable and alternative energy sources, and building more clean coal and nuclear facilities in the United States. The American Energy Act combines this push for increased supply with incentives for conservation and energy efficiency to temper this country's constantly increasing demand for energy," said Congressman McHugh. "In addition to the American Energy Act, I am a strong proponent of proposals to provide short-term relief to consumers through tax rebates and by fully-funding the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)."

The American Energy Act would include the following steps to increase energy production in the United States:

* Opening America's deep water ocean resources and the Arctic coastal plain (ANWR) for energy exploration

* Allowing the development of the United States' shale oil resources

* Spurring the development of alternative fuels through government contracting by repealing the prohibition on government purchasing of alternative energy and promoting coal-to-liquids technology

* Establishing a renewable energy trust fund using revenues generated by exploration in the deep ocean and on the Arctic coastal plain

* Permanently extending the tax credit for alternative energy production, including wind, solar and hydrogen

* Eliminating barriers to the expansion of emission-free nuclear power production

To improve energy conservation and efficiency, the legislation would include:

* Providing tax incentives for businesses and families that purchase more fuel efficient vehicles

* Providing tax incentives for businesses and homeowners who improve their energy efficiency

For short-term relief to residents across the 23rd District during the upcoming winter season, Congressman McHugh has introduced H.R. 6321, the Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief (HEATR) Act of 2008, and has supported substantially increasing funding for the LIHEAP Program, up to the authorized level of $5.1 billion. The HEATR Act would provide up to a $500 tax credit for individuals and families facing more than $1,500 in home heating costs during the winter season, with a maximum of one credit per housing unit.

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