[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 190 (Wednesday, December 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2007

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of the Energy Independence and Security Act. With this 
legislation, the new Democratic Congress is leading America in a new 
direction on energy policy.
  This is the most significant energy bill in a generation. The House 
is taking a major step toward ending our dependence on foreign oil by 
increasing efficiency standards for cars and trucks for the first time 
in over 30 years. This will reduce America's need for oil by 1.1 
million gallons per day, cut emissions almost 27 million tons per year, 
and save Minnesota families up to $1,000 every year.
  The Energy Independence and Security Act is Congress's most serious 
effort to combat global climate change to date. The bill includes the 
first ever national Renewable Energy Standard requiring utilities to 
generate at least 15 percent of the electricity we use from renewable 
sources, including wind, solar, biomass and geothermal sources. In 
addition, it also implements landmark energy efficiency standards for 
appliances, lighting, and buildings, which will significantly reduce 
our emissions, while saving American families and businesses billions 
of dollars in unnecessary energy costs.
  By setting new priorities, the House can do all this while also 
cutting costs for consumers and creating millions of new high-paying, 
high-skill ``green'' jobs. This legislation repeals $21 billion in 
taxpayer subsidies for highly profitable oil and gas companies and 
redirects these needed resources into developing America's new clean 
energy economy. This money will be invested in research and development 
so that American auto makers will produce the next generation of hybrid 
and electric cars. It will allow 3 million Americans to receive job 
training for new green jobs, and provide assistance for small 
businesses to reap the benefits of this growing industry. It will 
ensure that power plants become cleaner through tax credits for 
investments in clean power and the long overdue implementation of 
carbon capture and sequestration technologies. Moreover, Minnesota 
farmers will benefit from its historic commitment to homegrown 
biofuels--replacing Middle East crude with Midwest crops.
  It is time to make America more secure, more prosperous and more 
environmentally sustainable. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting a new direction in energy policy.

                          ____________________