Dear Friend,
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For six years the Republican leadership has pushed one energy policy - drill more. As a result, our nation faces an energy crisis. Yet, Republicans have no solutions to the problem, and no desire to change.
Yesterday I introduced the Clean EDGE Act of 2006, a bold new strategy for energy independence. Senate Democrats are joining together to support my plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by 40 percent by 2020 - saving 6 billion barrels of oil a day.
But to get there, we cannot afford to wait another day.
Today is the day we can make a real change, and make energy independence possible. Be a citizen co-sponsor of this important bill.
This bill is a significant change in the way we think about America's energy use. It also represents a dramatic change from the way that Republicans have approached energy issues.
It is my opening bid to move America forward on one of the greatest economic, national security and environmental challenges we have faced in my generation. We need to make America energy independent and we need to do it today - tomorrow is too late. Maintaining the status quo is not an option.
Our plan for real energy independence has five main pillars:
- We must lessen our dependence on fossil fuels and take steps to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Expanding our use of renewable resources and supporting research will let us develop cutting-edge technologies that will reduce oil consumption, improve electricity efficiency and reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- We must increase our use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles. Accelerating our use of flex fuel technology in American vehicles will give consumers options and promote real competition at the fuel pump. But to provide real access to alternative fuels, we need to invest in our infrastructure and make sure that there are convenient pumps across the country. These investments enable us to have an increasing number of new vehicles sold in America running on alternative fuels - starting with 25 percent in 2010. The end result for consumers will be better efficiencies, lower costs and a cleaner environment.
- We must protect American consumers and businesses from unreasonable energy prices. With real teeth behind laws to prevent gasoline price-gouging and energy market manipulation we can give consumers the confidence that the prices they pay at the pump are real market prices. Big oil companies shouldn't be allowed to artificially alter prices to increase their profits on the backs of America's families, farmers and businesses.
- We must level the playing field for clean energy technologies. We must end the giveaways to big oil companies and make sure they pay their fair share in royalties owed to American taxpayers. That money should be used to improve our nation's energy options - supporting research into new fuels, new efficiencies and new technologies to address our dependence on oil and move America toward energy independence.
- We must make sure that the federal government leads by example. As the single largest energy consumer in America, the federal government can reduce its oil consumption by 20 percent in five years and 40 percent by 2020 by using new energy technologies - making an enormous difference right away in our nation's energy usage.
Now is the time, our chance for real energy independence. Sign as a citizen co-sponsor of the Clean EDGE Act of 2006. Be a citizen co-sponsor of this important bill.
Our goal of reducing dependence on foreign oil by 40 percent by 2020 would save 6 billion barrels of oil a day. A goal that size requires a lot of work. But we can accomplish great things when we are committed to change, just as we did with the Apollo Project. It takes leadership that we haven't seen so far, it takes resolve by all of those in a position to effect change, and it takes the shared commitment of Americans across the country to hold us accountable.
Groundbreaking legislation like the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act happen when the American public says "Enough." 20 million Americans took to the streets in 1970 to show their support for American investment in a cleaner more sustainable future for our nation. Their actions, not those of any politician, pushed environmental issues into America's consciousness and political agenda.
We need just such a statement from you today. Together, we can bread new ground - and seize this opportunity to make America more competitive, more innovative, and more secure.
Thank you,
Maria Cantwell
