Media release - December 6, 2007
Responding to passage Thursday in the House of Representatives of The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Kate Smolski, Global Warming Legislative Coordinator, Greenpeace USA, issued the following statement:
"Greenpeace commends the House for passing energy legislation
that marks a firm step toward reducing America's dependence on
fossil fuels, eliminates tax breaks to the oil industry and fosters
the production of clean energy domestically.
"The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 contains many
worthwhile provisions, including an increase in fuel economy
standards for cars and a federal renewable electricity standard
that will cut global warming pollution, reduce American dependence
on oil and result in savings to consumers.
We believe that the legislation's tax breaks for so-called
'clean coal' technology are a subsidy for an unworkable technology
and that the biofuels production provision lacks necessary
environmental safeguards, but overall the bill has more positive
than negative elements."
"The United States, as the world's largest polluter, has little
time to reduce global warming pollution to avoid the most
catastrophic impacts, and this bill must be the beginning of a
clean energy revolution in America. It is now the Senate's
responsibility to pass it and create the turning point for building
the clean energy future that is long overdue in the U.S."
VVPR info: For in-depth analysis and commentary on H.R. 6, contact:
Jane Kochersperger, 202-319-2493 direct, 202-680-3798 cell