Payne Votes To Spur Economic Recovery, Innovation In Energy Technology

Press Release

Today, Congressman Donald M. Payne voted to boost job creation and provide real solutions to our energy and water quality needs with investments in new technologies, scientific research and conservation efforts. The Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act (HR 3183) builds on the investments in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to move toward American energy independence and rebuild our infrastructure -- major tenets of the long-term economic plan that President Obama laid out and this Congress approved. The bipartisan bill passed by a vote of 308 -- 114.

"By spurring innovation to generate American-made energy from solar to biofuels, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil, we will put our economy on sound footing," said Payne. "By providing short-term boosts to our economy like Cash for Clunkers, as well as long-term solutions like this bill and our clean energy jobs bill, we are creating jobs here at home and making smart, targeted investments in our future."

The Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act invests in new technologies that will create the next generation of vehicles with improved fuel efficiency, better and cleaner engines and better batteries. It also helps modernize our electric grid by investing in "smart grid" and cyber security technologies that will ensure efficient and reliable delivery of electricity to American homes and businesses.

The bill increases funds for weatherization grants to help struggling families improve their homes' energy efficiency and save hundreds of dollars annually in electricity and heating costs. It also invests in the water infrastructure needs of our communities to improve water quality and spur economic development after years of neglect.

"At the same time as we make these investments, we are looking closely at every line of our budget to eliminate and cut programs that aren't working in order to reduce the deficit and put us on a path toward fiscal responsibility," said Payne.

The legislation invests in our national security to ensure the safety and reliability of our nuclear weapons and to secure nuclear weapons and materials abroad. It also establishes a commission to evaluate alternatives to the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository for nuclear waste disposal. Once it is approved by the Senate, this bill will go on to the President's office to be signed into law.

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