Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) today announced that he will introduce legislation to help America achieve energy independence.
Etheridge is an original cosponsor of The Program For Real Energy Security (PROGRESS) Act, authored by U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, which will provide for a major national effort to make gains in technology, conservation, vehicle efficiency and alternative fuels.
“The PROGRESS Act recognizes that energy independence will only be achieved with a substantial investment in biofuels,” said Etheridge. “Biofuels present the opportunity for a new revitalization of rural America in answer to our energy crisis. We have the ability to become energy independent in America, and the PROGRESS Act will provide the leadership to achieve that vision.”
The average gas price is $2.36 in North Carolina today a 25-cent increase from one month ago. A federal investment in biofuel production and technology could help to lower and stabilize energy prices.
The PROGRESS Act will make a substantial investment in biofuels by establishing a National Biofuels Infrastructure Development initiative to develop the infrastructure to make biofuels available on a mass scale. This grant initiative would reimburse private-sector partners to share the costs of investing in wholesale and retail biofuel pumps, tank and related distribution equipment. The initiative would also include matching grants from state and local governments designed to encourage the spread of alternative fuels.
The legislation will also establish a National Energy Security Commission to develop national goals for energy independence and recommendations that Congress would be required to act on in an expedited manner. It would create a new Manhattan Center for high efficiency vehicles to develop new technologies to increase vehicle efficiency. The bill will also promote transit use and develop a rail infrastructure initiative, and it would increase the federal government’s use of alternatives to oil.
Etheridge is a leading advocate in Congress of increasing production of biofuels. In April 2006 he held a Congressional Summit in North Carolina to examine how North Carolina can become a leader in biofuel production. Etheridge also introduced the BIOFUEL Act in May 2006, which would increase biofuel production. The PROGRESS Act includes some of the provision’s of Etheridge’s legislation.