[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     INTRODUCTION OF THE DRIVE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 24, 2007

  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, last night the President made some bold 
statements about energy security. He pledged to reduce U.S. gas 
consumption 20 percent from projected 2017 levels. That amounts to 2 
million barrels of oil saved a day. Well if he is serious about his 
words and he wants to reduce oil consumption just a little more he 
should take a look at the DRIVE Act Representative Kingston and I are 
introducing today.
  The challenge we face is clear. In order to protect our Nation and 
our environment it is essential we use oil more efficiently and develop 
a domestic economy revolving around clean alternative fuels.
  Madam Speaker, our country has become increasingly dependent on oil 
imports from countries who deny their citizens basic democratic 
freedoms and, in some cases, sponsor terrorism. In the 1970s, the U.S. 
imported one-third of its oil and we now import 56 percent. If the 
trend continues, we will be importing nearly 70 percent of our oil by 
2025. It is simply unacceptable for us to sit idly by while OPEC gains 
a stranglehold over our economy and our security. In addition, there is 
now an irrefutable scientific consensus that global warming is real, it 
is dangerous and it is caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
  For these reasons, Madam Speaker, we must act now to provide funding, 
incentives and leadership to wean our economy off oil and transform it 
into one empowered by the use of domestic energy.
  In the last Congress, Representative Kingston and I introduced 
legislation to do just that the bipartisan Fuel Choices for American 
Security Act. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and in 
both chambers sponsored the bill and it emerged as the consensus plan 
to develop a broad array of reliable and clean domestic fuels. The bill 
has now been improved and will be reintroduced today as the DRIVE Act, 
the Dependence Reduction through Innovation in Vehicles and Energy Act 
with over 60 cosponsors from both parties.

  The bill has four main parts:
  First, the bill will require the U.S. to use less oil--starting with 
oil savings of 2.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2015 and 5 million 
barrels per day by 2025. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will 
design and monitor the plan and other Federal agencies will have the 
power to issue regulations to make the plan a reality.
  Second, the legislation will renew Detroit by helping U.S. auto 
makers manufacture more efficient vehicles that provide the same 
performance consumers expect. It will do this by providing funds for 
automakers to retool factories and help them commercialize new 
efficiency technologies such as plug-in hybrids and light-weight 
materials. In addition, the bill will help bring fuel-efficient tires 
into the marketplace and give authority to set efficiency standards for 
new heavytrucks.
  Third, the bill will help develop a domestic alternative fuel economy 
by mandating incentives for cellulosic biofuels, creating an 
alternative fueling infrastructure fund for installation of alternative 
fuel pumps, and providing further incentives to purchase fuel efficient 
vehicles.
  Finally, the bill provides for a nationwide oil security public 
education campaign to be administered by the Secretary of Energy.
  If we implement these policies today we can make America a safer, 
healthier, and cleaner place. But Madam Speaker, we cannot delay action 
any longer. The longer we wait, the longer we are at risk for an energy 
security crisis or irreversible global warming.
  Madam Speaker, I urge you to pass the DRIVE Act as soon as possible.

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