Energy Independence
Maria knows that achieving independence from Mid-East oil is essential to our national security. As the Senate Democrats' leader on Energy Independence, Maria is working to end America's addiction to foreign oil by 2020, end price-gouging by oil and gas companies, and lower energy costs for working families in Washington state and across the nation. Maria stood up to Enron when they tried to charge millions for energy they never delivered, and she blocked Bush administration plans to impose a backdoor rate hike on Northwest consumers. Maria believes that Northwest innovation can make us less dependent on fossil fuels.
Leading the Way to Energy Independence
Maria has a plan to make America stronger, more secure and less dependent on foreign oil. Maria rallied Senate Democrats behind the Clean EDGE Act of 2006, her bold proposal to transform America’s energy system and reduce harmful emissions by boosting our alternative fuels infrastructure, developing new technologies, and replacing big oil giveaways with clean energy incentives. Maria’s practical, common sense plan would help reduce foreign oil consumption 40 percent by 2020.
Standing Up to Enron
Maria helped uncover many of Enron's abuses, including the infamous "Granny Tapes" in which energy traders bragged about ripping off consumers. She then fought for and passed the "Cantwell amendment" to protect Washington ratepayers and businesses from being forced to pay Enron for power the company never even delivered. Maria has worked hard to ban crooked tactics used by Enron and others to manipulate energy markets, and she continues her work to hold corrupt energy traders accountable for their misdeeds.
Stopping Price-Gouging at the Pump
Maria knows that skyrocketing fuel prices are hurting families, farmers and businesses, so she is leading the push for legislation to stop the oil and gas industry from taking advantage of American consumers. Maria's Energy Emergency Consumer Protection Act would ban profiteering at the gas pump and empower regulators to go after companies suspected of price-gouging. Maria moved to hold oil executives accountable for skyrocketing energy prices in the wake of Hurricane Katrina by swearing them in at Senate hearings, a move blocked by senior Republicans.
Keeping Energy Costs Low
Maria has worked to keep energy costs low for Washingtonians - for our homes and our businesses. She has led her fellow Northwest senators to block Bush's efforts to raise our power rates and force ratepayers to subsidize his record debt. Bush's hike would have raised electricity bills by 39 percent and cost the region's electrical customers more than $1 billion. Maria said no, and won.
Encouraging Smart Energy Use
Throughout her career, Maria has championed innovations in smart, renewable and affordable energy. Maria fought to expand the renewable energy tax credit as part of the 2004 JOBS bill. She has supported groundbreaking investments and incentives for renewable energy, including tax credits for biodiesel and increased funding for research and development. Maria helped broker a deal with the Port of Seattle to facilitate the use of biofuels in their operations, a good move for the environment and for business.