Congressman Paul Hodes Supports Comprehensive Energy Proposal

For Immediate Release

September 16, 2008

Contact:        Mark Bergman

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  202-225-5206

Congressman Paul Hodes Supports Comprehensive Energy Proposal

Compromise Proposal Expands Domestic Drilling Options for States

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Paul Hodes today backed a comprehensive energy measure that will lower costs to consumers and American taxpayers, will invest in renewable energy sources to create American jobs, expand domestic energy supply, and create greater energy efficiency and conservation.

“We need a comprehensive approach to fixing our failed energy policy and helping Americans with high energy costs,” Congressman Paul Hodes said. “This bipartisan proposal expands American drilling and provides immediate relief from soaring gas and home heating oil prices, but it also delivers investments in alternative American energy sources and breaks away from the failed Bush energy policies of the last eight years.”

Among its provisions, the Comprehensive American Energy Security & Consumer Protection Act will roll back Big Oil tax breaks at a time of record oil company profits and require oil companies to pay royalties already owed to taxpayers; invest in wind, solar and natural gas, which are 21st century energy sources to create millions of American jobs; responsibly open up additional offshore areas for drilling with oil companies footing the bill instead of taxpayers; and release oil from the government’s stockpile to bring down gas prices immediately.

“We can see how the Bush policies of the last eight years coddling big oil companies have let energy prices soar to record levels. Americans deserve a change and this comprehensive, bipartisan compromise will help use short term actions like expanded domestic drilling to fund long term alternative energy solutions,” Hodes said.

Last year, Congress passed and the President signed historic energy legislation with provisions to combat oil market manipulation and increase vehicle fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon in 2020 – the first Congressional increase in more than three decades.