JOSEPH A. HALL: “later today we begin work on important legislation to finally help America end its dependence on foreign oil and pursue…”

“later today we begin work on important legislation to finally help America end its dependence on foreign oil and pursue newer, cleaner forms of energy. I'm excited that the Energy and Water Appropriations bill that we will pass this week will take the long-overdue step of setting a new course for our energy future by making significant investments in renewab1es and efficiency. For too many years, working families have felt the sting of high prices at the gas pump and rising home energy costs. Our economy has been made vulnerable to the whims of OPEC, and our reliance on fossil fuels has polluted our air and exacerbated climate change. All the while state and local governments have been forced to try to fill the leadership vacuum left by the previous Congress and this President. No more. The new Congress is prepared to meet our nation's energy challenges head on. To do so, this bill provides almost $2 billion for renewables and efficiency, significantly more than the President requested. This funding includes $200 million to get more solar projects on the market, $250 million to help develop domestically produced biofuels and over $235 million for new vehicle technologies to alleviate our demand for foreign oil, about $390 million for efficiency and weatherization grants to cut energy use in buildings, and over $110 million to expand and develop hydropower across the United States. This funding is an investment in America's future prosperity.”