Jay Rockefeller: “today I gladly lend my support to the Alternative Fuels Tax Incentives Act being introduced by Senator Jeffords, along…”

“today I gladly lend my support to the Alternative Fuels Tax Incentives Act being introduced by Senator Jeffords, along with Senators Hatch, Robb, Kerry, Bryan, and Chafee. I join with my colleagues because of my longstanding dedication to increasing the use of alternative fuels for transportation, and my understanding that to do so we must stimulate interest in the still fledgling alternative fuel vehicle industry. The success of this industry, and the acceptance of these vehicles in the market place, is critical to lowering our dependence on imported oil, improving the quality of the air we breathe, and reducing the greenhouse gases our nation emits. Let me take a few moments to relate some of the reasons why it is so important that we reduce our consumption of petroleum and use alternative sources of energy. The first and most tangible reason is the need to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil. Currently, we import more than half of the oil consumed in this nation. That translates to $180,000 per minute that is being spent to purchase foreign oil.”