WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce and Resources Committees and chief sponsor of various energy independence measures in the Congress including increasing the fuel economy standards of cars and trucks, released the following statement on the report published by the Energy Security Leadership Council on reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

“I welcome this report on Reducing Oil Dependence, and share the commitment to energy security voiced by this coalition of business and security leaders.  While Congress has enacted numerous energy supply provisions and numerous consumer incentives to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we have fallen short on measures to reduce demand, such as increasing the fuel economy of cars and light trucks.  I am pleased that the Energy Security Leadership Council has chosen to focus attention on this important piece of any credible energy policy.  I will continue my efforts to enact meaningful fuel economy increases, and plan to introduce legislation to require a 4% annual improvement in fuel economy (CAFÉ) standards when the 110th Congress convenes in January.”

The report by the Energy Security Leadership Council can be found at http://www.secureenergy.org/reports/ESLC_Oil_Report.pdf, and its membership is various CEO’s and former military officers.