Congresswoman Hirono Votes for Historic Energy Security Legislation
Landmark Package Reduces Global Warming and Dependence on Foreign Oil
WASHINGTON, D.C.—
Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono joined a majority in the House to pass a historic and sweeping bill to put America on a path toward energy independence.
The Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6) will strengthen our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, lower energy costs, grow our economy, create new jobs, and begin to address global warming.
Congresswoman Hirono said, "Hawai‘i has enormous potential to provide a significant portion of our energy needs through locally produced renewable energy sources. The incentives for development of solar, wind and biomass-based renewable energy projects contained in this bill will help spur investment in renewable energy and ultimately reduce our vulnerability to supply disruptions that are particularly serious given Hawai‘i’s geographic isolation."
The cornerstone of the Energy Independence and Security Act is an increase in the fuel efficiency of vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This is the first increase in a generation and is supported by environmentalists, labor groups and the automobile industry. This provision will save American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump with $22 billion in net annual consumer savings in 2020. Here in Hawai‘i, this provision would create 600 jobs and save families $65 million a year at the pump in 2020.
While President Bush has been in office the cost of gasoline has increased significantly.
Hawai‘i drivers pay the most in the nation, with a gallon of regular gas costing $3.45 according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report. This compares with $1.78 per gallon in January 2001, meaning Hawai‘i families are paying 94% more for gasoline than in 2001.
Some key aspects of the legislation passed today are described below:
Lowers consumer energy costs. The bill requires for the first time that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass. This will save consumers in Hawai‘i money, as will landmark new energy efficiency standards through 2030 for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting and buildings.
Creates 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.
Strengthens our national security by reducing oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels a day in 2030, through the fuel efficiency standard known as CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) and a historic commitment to American-grown biofuels.
The bill overall will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 84-126 million metric tons per year by 2020 (the equivalent of taking 10-15 million vehicles off the road).
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