Anna Eshoo: “this is the first forward-looking energy bill to come before Congress in a generation and it is sorely needed because…”

“this is the first forward-looking energy bill to come before Congress in a generation and it is sorely needed because our nation and our planet are at risk because of our dependence on fossil fuel. We are doing nothing less than asserting America's leadership in solving our own and the world's most significant energy and environmental problems. Today, our national security is at risk because the U.S. is increasingly beholden to foreign governments for the energy that fuels our economy, and greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to greater global insecurity due to changes in the climate and their repercussions. Consumers see the effects of dependence in their pocketbooks each time they fill up. Our interests in the Middle East are dictated by our need for oil. Throughout the world we see the environmental impact of the dependence on fossil fuel on our environment ... whether it's an oil spill or more intense hurricanes or droughts. Today we're taking a historic step in changing this dynamic. The auto fuel efficiency provisions in this bill reduce our oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels per day by 2030--more than twice the amount of oil we currently import from the Persian Gulf. The bill will also reduce global warming pollution by the equivalent of 300 coal-fired power plants. By 2030 we will cut emissions by up to 35 percent of what scientific experts say we must achieve to prevent climate catastrophe.”