[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ADVANCED VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3246) to 
     provide for a program of research, development, demonstration 
     and commercial application in vehicle technologies at the 
     Department of Energy:

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise today to express may support for the 
Advanced Vehicle Technology Act (H.R. 3246). I thank Chairman Gordon 
and the members of the Science and Technology Committee for their work 
on this important legislation, which will fuel innovation in the 
American automobile sector and capitalize on America's manufacturing 
infrastructure to spur the creation of millions of well-paying American 
jobs and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
  Our country's approach to developing advanced technology vehicles 
must be comprehensive and coordinated to ensure innovation and 
advancement in our entire vehicle fleet. Historically, the Vehicle 
Technologies program at the U.S. Department of Energy has lacked a 
comprehensive approach to research and development, with various 
technologies competing for funding and imbalanced investment in between 
passenger and heavy duty vehicles research. The Advanced Vehicle 
Technology Act addresses these issues through authorization of long-
term, sustained funding for a new comprehensive research and 
development program at the Department of Energy. H.R. 3246 invests in a 
diverse range of near-term and long-range vehicle technologies that 
will improve fuel efficiency, support domestic research and 
manufacturing, and reduce our country's dependence on petroleum that 
pollutes our planet and keeps us dependent on foreign energy sources. 
Such a comprehensive approach will fuel American innovation now and 
into the future.
  Innovation is America's greatest strength. As our country recovers 
from a serious recession, funding for research and development is one 
of the best investments we can make to restore our American leadership 
in the global economy. America excels at high tech manufacturing, and 
investing in the development of a new generation of advanced technology 
vehicles will drive the creation of millions of new, well paying 
manufacturing jobs here at home. Innovation in vehicle technologies is 
also an important component in addressing the pressing challenge of 
global climate change. America's passenger and commercial transport 
sector produces one third of our country's total carbon dioxide 
emissions. Meeting the challenge of global climate change will require 
the development of a new generation of vehicles powered with clean 
energy.
  Modernizing our nation's vehicle fleet through American innovation is 
critical for our economic prosperity, energy security, and responsible 
stewardship of our planet. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3246.

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