Merkley: Energy Policy Still Has a Long Way to Go

PORTLAND—Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, released the following statement today after the Senate voted 86-8 on the energy bill. The bill was stripped of several major provisions so Republicans would agree to let it move forward:

“This energy bill is a step in the right direction, but it does not go far enough. It is a far cry from what it should have been.

“America’s energy policy must first and foremost move us away from our dependence on foreign oil. It is imperative for our national security that we not be dependent on foreign dictators for our fuel. It is imperative for our economy that we invest in renewable energy technology right here at home, instead of sending $1 billion a day overseas. And it is imperative for our climate that we dramatically reduce the amount of carbon we’re pumping into the atmosphere.

“The best way to do that is to cut off the huge tax giveaways for oil companies, raise fuel economy standards, and establish a 25 percent renewable energy standard by 2025. Unfortunately, this bill only accomplishes one of those goals.

“As usual, Gordon Smith has put up a smoke screen because the election is drawing near. But Oregonians have been paying attention. They know he has long been a friend of the big oil companies, voting time and again to give them huge tax cuts that continue our dependence on foreign oil.

“As Senator for Oregon I will always stand up to big oil, election year or not.”

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Posted December 13, 2007
Press, Spotlight