WASHINGTON, D.C. – As negotiations over a common House and Senate energy bill move forward, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, welcomed Bush administration support for the Senate-passed 35 mile per gallon (mpg) fuel economy standard, reiterated by Deputy Energy Secretary Clay Sell earlier this week.

“President Bush, Speaker Pelosi, business leaders and environmental groups are now all reflecting the majority opinion of the American people who want stronger fuel economy standards put in place. I have confidence in Congress’ ability to ensure that a 35 mpg standard is part of the final energy bill we will send to the President, and it is encouraging to know he supports this initiative,” said Rep. Markey.

“Reducing our oil dependence by almost the equivalent of twice our imports from the Persian Gulf by 2030 is a win-win proposal – a win for national security and a win for our fight against global warming.”

If the fuel economy provision and other key parts—renewable energy and fuels--of the two energy bills remain intact, the legislation would by 2030, reduce the total amount of dangerous heat-trapping gases by around 40 percent of what is needed to save the planet.

On October 9, 2007, Deputy Energy Secretary Clay Sell, in a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said that the fuel economy standards proposal submitted by President Bush during this year’s State of the Union address is “largely reflected in the Senate [Energy] bill.”


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2007

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