SAFE Applauds Bipartisan Energy Proposal

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) lauded the bipartisan energy proposal released today by a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators.

“This bipartisan collection of leaders has put forward a serious vision to end oil as our primary source of transportation fuel, and to meet our energy needs in the interim,” General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps and co-chairman of SAFE’s Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC) said. “We worked closely with members of both parties last year to draft and pass legislation that included the first improvement in vehicle fuel economy standards in three decades. In recent weeks, we have worked with the Gang of 10 and their staffs to take the next important steps.

“We share the same goals with this bipartisan group of senators, and though we may not agree on all of the steps to reach those goals, this proposal includes several key policy elements that SAFE and the ESLC are advocating,” Kelley added. “It leads our nation toward the long-term transformation to an electrified transportation system that is no longer dependent on oil. It also details the necessary steps — including research and development and environmentally responsible domestic supply — to support that effort and meet our current critical energy needs. This is a strong proposal, and SAFE is eager to continue working with members of the Group of 10 and the entire Congress to refine it and pass it into law.”

The proposal includes policies that will put the U.S. on a long-term course toward dramatically reducing its dependence on oil, primarily by electrification of the transportation system. It includes several provisions that SAFE is advocating, including: increasing research and development funding for alternative fuel vehicles (including batteries); financial support to help U.S. automakers retool factories to produce these vehicles; consumer tax credits to encourage the purchase of these vehicles; expanding transmission capacity for power from renewable sources; and others. To fund these measures and to meet crucial energy needs in the interim, the proposal includes provisions to lift congressional moratoria to allow environmentally responsible energy production in the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, as well as a carbon sequestration credit for use in enhanced oil recovery in existing wells.

“There are few more important national security priorities for the United States than energy security,” Kelley continued. “Time is short. There are very few legislative days remaining in this election year. It is time for both the House and the Senate to move forward, and this proposal provides a solid framework with which to do so.”

Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization that aims to reduce America’s dependence on oil and improve U.S. energy security to bolster national security and strengthen the economy.

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Securing America’s Future Energy

CONTACT: Jonathan Grella of SAFE, +1-202-461-2369

Web Site: http://www.secureenergy.org/