Press Release

ARCURI SUPPORTS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE LEGISLATION

March 13, 2007

Washington, DC -- U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) announced today that he is cosponsoring the Program for Real Energy Security (PROGRESS) Act, H.R. 1300, which would create a national initiative for alternative energy production and increased energy efficiency to make America energy independent and advance our economic, national and environmental security. 

“The PROGRESS Act is exactly the kind of rallying point we need to end our dependence on foreign oil, protect our planet from global warming, and create good-paying jobs in the process,” Arcuri said.  “Oil is a finite resource.  It is far past time for us as nation to stand up for national security, the environment, and economic development to make our alternative energy future a reality.”

“Last month, I hosted an energy roundtable in Lansing and gathered business leaders, scientific experts, and citizens together to discuss our nation’s energy future and how Upstate New York can be a national leader in alternative energy production. The PROGRESS Act would create this kind of collaboration on a national level, bringing experts together to increase fuel efficiency and the use of alternative fuels,” Arcuri said.  “For months, I’ve been saying that we desperately need real progress toward objectives like domestic incentives for alternative fuel-friendly cars and improvements in how we make alternative fuels more mainstream – rather than more rhetoric.”

Over 65% of oil used in the United States is used for transportation and 58% of oil consumed is imported from a foreign country. The PROGRESS Act focuses on transportation, doubling fuel efficiency, and alternative biofuel distribution.

The PROGRESS Act would:

• Create a National Energy Security Commission to bring together government, industry and academic leaders to develop national goals that respect regional energy solutions and develop recommendations that Congress would have to act upon under expedited rules and produce a report guiding federal policy within 6 months – instead of waiting even longer to act. 

• Establish a New Manhattan Center for High Efficiency Vehicles to increase the availability of technologies to double the current average vehicle efficiency, diversify types of fuels, and expand incentives to develop the future of fuel cells and hydrogen. 

• Launch a National Biofuels Infrastructure Development Program to promote development of wholesale and retail biofuels pumps, tanks, and other related distribution equipment – creating an infrastructure to make vehicles that run on ethanol and biodiesel practical and widespread.

• Ensure Federal Government Leadership in the Use of the Alternatives to Oil by increasing the use of alternative fuels in federal and state fleets, developing biofuel and cellulosic ethanol plants in every region of the country, and speeding development of standards that are needed to promote alternative fuels use. 

The PROGRESS Act is sponsored by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

Since taking office Arcuri has cosponsored two other pieces of legislation, the CLEAN Energy Act (H.R. 6) and the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act (H.R. 547), specifically designed to increase the research, production, and implementation of alternative energy sources. Both passed the House by bipartisan majorities

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