July 28, 2005—Today, the House passed the Conference Report of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.  The measure aims to accommodate and prepare for the energy needs of the United States in the century ahead.  Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) issued the following statement following passage:
 
“America’s free marketplace is the most powerful mechanism we have to ensure our Nation’s energy requirements continue to be met.  This bill strengthens and enhances that free marketplace.

“The United States imports more than 60% of the crude oil we consume, and that represents a potential national security risk. By fostering conservation, increasing our investment in renewable, clean sources of energy, and encouraging greater domestic production of oil and gas, we can build a safer and more secure future for our country.”

The Energy Policy Act of 2005:

• Encourages domestic production of oil by streamlining the permit process, promoting greater refining capacity, and curbing the proliferation of boutique fuels;
• Reduces the demand for oil by increasing funding to improve fuel efficiency standards and encouraging the development of alternative sources of energy;
• Boosts production of clean natural gas to help lower soaring prices;
• Improves our nation’s electricity transmission capability and reliability to prevent future blackouts;
• Promotes clean and renewable fuels by providing incentives for clean coal technology and other fuels such as biomass, wind, solar, and hydroelectricity;
• Encourages conservation by establishing new mandatory efficiency requirements for federal buildings, greater efficiency standards and product labeling for batter chargers, refrigerators, freezers, unit heaters, and other household products.

Trent Franks is the Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District of Arizona.  He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee.