Energy Legislation Bigger and Bolder Than a Barrel of Oil (Rep. Jim McDermott)

The American people and the planet are the big winners in the comprehensive energy legislation the House passed just before the August recess.  Kudos to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for demanding that we do more as a Congress and country than accept yesterday’s energy solutions as tomorrow’s energy policy.

Our energy legislation is bigger and bolder than a barrel of oil.  It’s all about developing clean and renewable energy resources and emphasizing energy efficiency.  We’re providing homeowners, business owners and utilities with the tools and resources to reduce consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.  Our energy legislation unleashes America’s ability to create and innovate — credit for this will to succeed goes to Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

We live in a nation addicted to oil and we simply can’t afford it.  It’s too expensive for America’s pocketbook, too adverse for America’s national security, and too perilous for earth’s atmosphere.  When it comes to energy policy, we have not risen to the occasion or to America’s potential, until now.