United States Senate United States House of Representatives
For Immediate Release Wednesday, August 13, 2008		CONTACTS: Michael Amodeo (Salazar) 303-249-5286 Heather Fox (Udall) 970-290-4653
Salazar, Udall Push for Balanced, Bipartisan 'American Energy, American Innovation' Proposal DENVER, CO - Today, at a press conference on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol, United States Senator Ken Salazar and Congressman Mark Udall laid out a comprehensive plan to provide struggling families with immediate relief from rising fuel costs and set America on a long-term path towards energy independence. In their remarks, Senator Salazar and Congressman Udall welcomed a bipartisan proposal set forth by a group of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate – the so-called Gang of 10 – as a positive step towards breaking the political gridlock in Washington. They also advocated for additional measures to help stabilize rising fuel prices in the short-term and address the longer-term, root causes of America's current energy crisis. “In these challenging economic times, American families are looking for solutions, not partisan bickering that does nothing to ease the pain they feel each time they fill up at the pump" said Senator Salazar. “The 'Gang of 10's' bipartisan proposal provides an opportunity to break the energy gridlock that has gripped Washington. It represents real progress in our effort to find common ground to solve America’s energy crisis. I will work with Congressman Udall and my other colleagues to build on this constructive proposal and to find a new way forward as we seek to address the very significant energy challenges that face our nation." "Colorado is at the center of the national energy debate," said Congressman Udall. "Senator Salazar and I have partnered before on tough issues and we are doing it again because Congress needs to pass a comprehensive energy plan. The 'Gang of 10' bipartisan proposal is a good foundation to build upon. I look forward to working with Senator Salazar and others to lower gas prices for Colorado families and put our country on a path toward energy independence." At the event, Senator Salazar and Congressman Udall stated their intention to propose an energy plan that builds on the proposal offered by the Gang of 10. To help bring down the price of fuel in the near-term, the Members called on the President to release seventy million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and pressed Congress to pass legislation that will help curb excessive speculation in the oil and energy markets. To achieve the longer-term goal of energy independence, Senator Salazar and Congressman Udall called for responsible increases in production of domestic oil and natural gas; a national commitment to expanded renewable energy development; a national commitment to increased energy and vehicle efficiency; and expanded nuclear energy generating capacity. A more detailed summary of Senator Salazar’s and Congressman Udall’s ‘American Energy, American Innovation’ proposal is included below. ‘American Energy, American Innovation’ Proposal I. PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF FROM HIGH FUEL PRICES Emergency release of 70 Million Barrels of Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Lower Gasoline Prices by Ending Market Speculation II. MAKE AN IMMEDIATE URGENT NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO RENEWABLE ENERGY Establish a National Renewable Energy Standard of 20% by 2020. Extend immediately Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for renewable energy. Prevent rollbacks of current law, which quintupled requirements for conventional and advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol. Support implementation of new cellulosic biofuels tax credit included in 2007 farm bill. Commit Federal Resources to Research and Development of Renewable Technology – double NREL funding over five years. Establish a Green Jobs worker training program. III. MAKE ENERGY CONSERVATION A NATIONAL IMPERATIVE IN OUR TRANSPORTATION AND IN OUR HOMES A. Push for Higher Fuel Economy and Fuel Efficiency Standards Require new vehicle fuel efficiency of at least 35 mpg by 2015 and to 50 mpg by 2030. Transform America’s national vehicle fleet by making fuel efficient vehicles 7.5 billion for Research and Development focused on the major technological barriers to alternative fuel vehicles, such as advanced batteries $7.5 billion in tax breaks to help U.S. automakers retool to make alternative fuel vehicles Consumer tax credits of $7,500 per vehicle for Americans who purchase advanced alternative fuel vehicles, and up to $2,500 to retrofit existing vehicles with advances alternative fuel engines. Require 50% of all new vehicles to be capable of burning various biofuels (in addition to gasoline) by 2012 and 80% by 2015, as proposed by The Open Fuel Standard Act, legislation introduced by Sens. Salazar, Brownback and Lieberman. B. Increase Energy Efficiency in American Homes Extend the consumer tax credits for purchasing Energy Star-rated appliances. Establish HUD Energy Efficiency Building Standards, and provide tax credits to those 1) who exceed the standards with new construction or 2) increase efficiency by 30% or more in existing homes. Fully fund the low-income weatherization assistance program. IV. EXPAND DOMESTIC OIL AND GAS DRILLING AND REFINERY CAPACITY Require Oil and Gas Companies to Develop Leases They Already Hold Extend incentives for building of domestic refinery capacity. Expand Responsible Domestic Drilling Inland Expand Responsible Domestic Drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) V. DEVELOP NEW NUCLEAR POWER nclude nuclear power as part of our overall energy policy. Support moving forward with proposals for the construction of a new generation of nuclear power plants Support increased funding into research and development on spent fuel recycling to reduce nuclear waste Meet rigorous environmental safety standards and tackle the long-range problem of waste storage and security without limiting or slowing down construction of new facilities # # #