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WASHINGTON –Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) was joined today by Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Evan Bayh (D-IN), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL) in introducing bipartisan legislation which is aimed at breaking America’s dependence on foreign oil. The Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act would mandate 10 million barrels in oil-savings in 25 years and would also require the mass-production of cars that can burn any combination of gasoline and alternative fuels or, alternatively, cars powered by efficient hybrid engines. Lieberman first laid out his proposal last month in speeches at Georgetown and Yale Universities.
“Given the facts of the growing, global dependency on oil – and given the fact that we have only limited oil reserves here at home – and given the fact that other solutions to our dependency are so readily at hand – failure to act will make us a pitiful giant, like Gulliver in Lilliput, tied down and subject to the whim of smaller nations who have,” Lieberman said.
“It's good common sense to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and it's doable in the near-term,” Brownback said. “This dependence limits our foreign policy and national security options, and there is broad public support for reducing oil consumption. We can create market incentives to use technologies available today to deal with a problem that will only get worse unless we take action.”
"Achieving energy independence is one of the greatest challenges of our generation, one that will impact everything from our national security to our economy," Bayh said. "It will take an effort on par with the race to put a man on the moon, but we must find a way to reduce our dependence on foreign oil so that America is prepared for the future. We can't afford to rely on countries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela for our energy needs any longer."
“The Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act is a strong national vision for America’s future that moves us toward energy independence and increased national security,” Coleman said. “Energy dependence is the greatest threat to our economy, our security, and our freedom this nation faces. This bill takes bold and aggressive action toward independence by mandating the saving of 2.5 million barrels per day over the next ten years, and furthers the development of alternative forms of energy by creating a plan to grow fuel on the farm and efficiently use oil. We attack these long range goals with real-world solutions, and I am proud of the leadership, commitment, and work of Senators Lieberman, Bayh, Brownback, and Graham as we work to achieve these objectives.”
“Our Nation’s over-dependence on foreign energy is a threat to our economic and national security,” Salazar said. “The burden of high fuel costs is crushing our farmers, commuters and everyone who struggles day by day to make ends meet. Energy independence for America can no longer be just a goal; it is a necessity. America deserves better and this bill will deliver.”
“The best thing we can do for our national security and future economic viability is to create a comprehensive energy plan,” Graham said. “America must reduce its dependence on Mideast oil and fossil fuels in general. I hope this effort will be seen as a breakthrough toward achieving those goals.”
“Reducing our dependence on foreign oil will make our country stronger and protect consumers against future fuel price spikes,” Nelson said.
“With the price of gasoline for Americans doubling and the world price of oil tripling from $20 to $60 per barrel, America’s national security is at risk,” Sessions said. “This represents a tripling of America’s wealth transfer to foreign nations, many of which are hostile to U.S. interests. This legislation is a bold step to deal with the energy crisis as a national security issue. Every single action that we can take to reduce consumption, increase domestic production and support new technologies is important. American innovation is the key to solving this problem.”
The bill will also:
• Set targets for manufacturers to produce flexible fuel vehicles (FFV), alternative fueled vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell vehicles or other qualified vehicles that meet a performance standard of 175% of average fleet fuel economy – starting at 10% in 2012 and rising to 50% in 2016. After 2016 at least 10% of the 50% requirement must be met by hybrids, advanced diesels, plug-in hybrids and other non-FFV vehicles;
• Require the Secretary of Energy to issue regulations for federal and state fleets covered by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to reduce petroleum consumption by 30% from a 1999 baseline by FY2016. Require 30% of federal fleet requirement (22.5%-25% of the total fleet requirement) to be met by advanced diesels, hybrids or plug-in hybrids in 2016. Allow electric drive technology vehicles (hybrids) to qualify under the Federal Fleet requirements of EPAct;
• Provide retooling tax credits for manufacturers and suppliers of advanced diesels and hybrids. (Nearly identical to Levin-Bayh amendment to the energy bill)
• Create a tire efficiency program for tires used on light duty vehicles.
• Create a fuel economy testing program and the implementation of efficiency standards for heavy duty vehicles (trucks, buses, etc).
Summary of the legislation.
Section-by-section breakdown of the legislation.
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