Democratic Legislation Cited as Step Toward Energy Independence by 2020, NCGA Notes (05-17-06)

Senate Democrats unveiled today comprehensive energy legislation that aims to put the nation on the road to energy independence, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) notes.
 
The Clean EDGE Act of 2006 focuses on five main principles that will bring the United States closer to energy independence by 2020, according to Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.). The legislation calls for major investment in the research, development and production of the alternative energy vehicles, fuels and technologies that will break the nation's addiction to foreign oil. The five principles of the bill include provisions to: provide for an aggressive effort to increase the number of alternative fuel vehicles sold; protect consumers from gas price gouging and market manipulation; reduce our dependence on fossil fuels; put the federal government in the lead in reducing our dependence on foreign oil; and level the playing field for new renewable and energy-efficient technologies.

The legislation sets a minimum national goal of having at least 10 percent of all gas stations offer alternative fuels such as E85 or biodiesel no later than 2015. Also included in the bill is a tax credit of up to 50 percent of costs of alternative fuel refueling property not to exceed $50,000 for retail/commercial applications or $1,000 for residential, with the total number of available credits capped at 20,000 refueling stations to encourage quick adoption.

Leon Corzine, NCGA chairman, noted agriculture is providing solutions for our society, beginning with renewable fuels.

“We are pleased to see the recognition from Congress of the importance of renewable fuels, with ethanol made from corn leading the way and working us toward solving the energy instability of this country,” he said. “Our country has been in an energy crisis for sometime. We need strong public policy to help us as we increase the utilization of production and consumption of renewable fuels. Our energy problems did not develop overnight, and we will not solve them overnight; however, the work of NCGA and our member states has pointed us in a direction that will lead to energy security for our future.”

This legislation is the latest in the Democratic campaign announced October 2005 to make America energy independent.

Reid was joined by 42 other Democratic senators in announcing the legislation. Citing the crucial need for the United States to set a national goal and embark on a serious strategy to reduce the dependence on petroleum—equivalent to 40 percent of the U.S. projected imports by 2020—the senators also called on President George W. bush to join them and support the Clean EDGE Act.