Grassroots Group Launches National Campaign Against Congressional Effort to Repeal Energy Law

A former Congressman Warns: America Cannot Let Congress Get Away With Decreasing America's Domestic Energy Supplies.

Photo courtesy: deirf.org

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Partnership for America grassroots alliance is urging Congress not to repeal a law intended to help America reduce its reliance on foreign energy. The Partnership urged Members of both political parties to retain key energy supply provisions of the 2005 Energy Policy Act.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct05) is a statute that was passed by the United States Congress on July 29th, 2005 and signed into law by President George W. Bush on August 8th, 2005 at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Act, described by proponents as an attempt to combat growing energy problems, provides tax incentives and loan guarantees for energy production of various types.

In a letter to all Members of Congress, Paul Poister, Executive Vice President of the Partnership, said: "America’s energy costs are rising and more jobs are moving offshore. Now is NOT the time for Congress to vote for less American energy, more foreign energy and higher costs for American consumers and industry. We strongly urge Congress to oppose any effort to repeal key provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005."

The Partnership’s National Chairman Richard Pombo (former U.S. House Resources Committee Chairman) said, “America must move toward greater energy independence and away from our dependence on hostile foreign nations for the energy we need to run our cars, heat our homes and keep our families safe. That was the core goal of the 2005 Energy Policy Act. American consumers stand to gain the most from this important law because of its power to deliver more affordable and reliable energy to America.

"It is simply breathtaking that some of the same Members of Congress who voted with me for this bipartisan legislation are now working to cut out its heart," Pombo said. "The Partnership’s several hundred thousand members and supporters from coast to coast will communicate with Congress in support of more American energy, less foreign energy imports and lower energy costs to the American people."

Poister added: "Now, just as gasoline prices are rising and consumers are again being slammed by rising energy costs, Congress is talking about making it more difficult to produce affordable and reliable American energy."

"Congress must continue to help America produce more American energy from all sources and increasing the efficiency of the energy sector and of our economy," said Poister.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) spoke in opposition to the bill when it was being discussed, and he included references to the occupation of Iraq and serious flaws in the policy of the energy bill.

"Our dependence on foreign oil will not be reduced as a result of this legislation. As a result, we have not reduced the prospect of going to war once again in the Persian Gulf in the next decade."

The Senator referred to the relationship between the energy bill and terrorism. "After 9/11, it became clear that energy policy was a national security issue and that reducing our dependence on foreign oil had to be a national security priority. That hasn't been done."

"So today Americans continue to pay what I call a terror tax--the price we pay in insecurity for our dependence on foreign oil."

Wyden explained his reference by citing gas prices which at that time in 2005, were a dollar less than today. The senator called it a "terror tax," because a portion of that money goes to foreign governments, "that in turn send it out the back door to Islamist extremists who use the money to perpetuate hate and terrorist acts."

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Special thanks to Wikipedia for information in this report.