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The Energy Policy Act of 2003:
Now more than ever, the country needs an energy policy that puts innovation to work by using existing technologies to cut our dependence on polluting sources of energy and increase our use of renewable energy and energy efficiency. A safe, clean and affordable energy future relies on: 1. Cutting our dependence on oil The biggest single step we can take to curb our oil dependence and global warming pollution is to make our vehicles go further on a gallon of gas. Raising miles per gallon standards to 40 mpg for cars, SUVs and other light trucks would cut carbon dioxide pollution by 600 million metric tons, save consumers billions each year at the gas pump and save three million barrels of oil per day by 2013. This is more oil per day than we import from the entire Persian Gulf, or could extract from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, combined. 2. Improving energy efficiency and increasing our reliance on clean, renewable energy We can increase electricity from renewables to 20 percent. A Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in which 20 percent of all electricity sold would be derived from appropriately sited wind, solar, geothermal or biomass energy by 2020 would greatly reduce our reliance on polluting fossil fuels. We can increase the efficiency of our buildings and appliances. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory estimates federal agencies would save $1 billion annually if they installed currently available, energy-efficient technologies, such as compact fluorescent lightbulbs and efficient appliances. Further, if Americans bought only Energy Star appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines, we would shrink our energy bills by more than $100 billion. 3. Protecting consumers Current protections for electricity consumers are under attack. Americans should not be at the whim of energy giants such as Enron and Dynegy. Instead, they should receive reliable electricity at fair prices. The Energy bill should not repeal one of the only laws that protects electricity consumers, the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA). Instead, it should strengthen protections so electricity consumers are no longer vulnerable to Enron-like trading deals. 4. Protecting America's special places By preserving the public participation and environmental review requirements of landmark laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act and the National Historic Preservation Act, we can ensure that America's special places are protected for generations to come. Photo licensed to Sierra Club; used with permission. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
The
Energy Policy Act of 2003 introduced by Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM)
threatens the environment and takes us backward by increasing our
dependence on polluting and dangerous sources of energy such as
coal, oil, and nuclear power. Instead of putting America on the
path to a clean and affordable energy future, the Senate energy
bill opens up our wilderness areas to oil and gas drilling, increases
our dependence on polluting and dangerous sources of energy by throwing
billions of dollars in subsidies at them and fails to offer meaningful
measures to cut global-warming pollution.