[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 130 (Wednesday, September 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION TAX ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Saturday, August 4, 2007

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise In strong support of the Renewable 
Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act.
  This legislation provides a balanced, responsible and long-term 
approach to addressing the critical issue of energy security in this 
country. It provides long-term incentives for renewable energy that 
will give the solar, wind, and biomass industries the stability they 
need to increase production capacity. There are also significant 
incentives for making our Nation and economy more energy efficient.
  The bill provides resources to States and localities to help their 
residents improve the efficiency of their homes, as well as make public 
investments in energy-efficiency, transportation and research.
  The bill works across sectors and technologies, across governmental 
and private sector lines, and in both residential and commercial 
settings to reduce our Nation's dependence on fossil fuels. In a word, 
Mr. Speaker, the approach taken by this bill is comprehensive. I want 
to highlight two provisions in the bill that I think are particularly 
important.
  First, this legislation will increase the tax credit for alternative 
refueling property from 30 percent to 50 percent, and extend the credit 
through 2010. Nearly everyone agrees that biofuels such as E85 are an 
increasingly important component of our Nation's evolving energy 
strategy. Real progress has been made in recent years to spur use of 
alternative transportation fuels, and U.S. automakers have made 
significant investments to bring flex-fuel vehicles to market. But we 
need to speed the deployment of E85 pumps. This bill does just that.
  Next, this legislation provides incentives for manufacturers to 
produce washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers that push the 
boundaries of energy and water efficiency, and to build them in the 
United States. Reducing the energy or water usage of a washing machine 
may seem like a small thing, but over time and across millions of 
households, these incentives will produce remarkable reductions in 
energy and water usage, and consumers will save money on their utility 
bills.
  Finally, I think it is unfortunate that so many of my colleagues on 
the other side of the aisle are opposing this package because it takes 
back just a few of the most outrageous tax breaks for the oil and gas 
industry. Our work in this House is about priorities, and the 
difference in priorities on this bill could not be more clear. I urge 
all of my colleagues to support this responsible legislation.

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