Doris Matsui: “Federal energy policy has been lagging behind forward-looking States like California. It is now time for the Federal…”

“Federal energy policy has been lagging behind forward-looking States like California. It is now time for the Federal Government to lead America's transformation to a clean energy economy. Here in Congress, we must enact smart policies that demonstrate a serious commitment to changing the way this Nation produces and consumes energy. In the House, we took an important first step as part of the 100-hours agenda when we repealed $14 billion in subsidies and incentives for oil companies, and redirected that money to a clean energy fund. That legislation sent a clear and strong signal to our constituents and to industry. I can tell you that businesses, universities and research institutions in my hometown of Sacramento are enthusiastic about helping America move forward on clean energy technologies. One of those technologies, biofuels, has tremendous potential to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, and if we are serious about incorporating alternative fuels into the economy, we need to ensure that our infrastructure is compatible with them. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 547 because it is a commonsense next step on biofuels.”