In my last diary, I wrote Alert: Another Plank of 100 Hours Agenda Going Down in Flames, based on news reports saying that Democrats were caving to Bush's veto threat and keeping billions of oil subsidies in their energy bill.
But today they've laid down the gauntlet with a simple message: We are not afraid to start saving the planet.
The Energy Independence and Security Act will contain:
- Strong CAFE standards (veto threat by Bush)
- Mandatory Renewable Electricity Standard (veto threat)
- $20 billion rollback of oil/gas subsidies (veto threat)
- Renewable Production Tax Credit (veto threat)
- Worker-rights provisions (veto threat)
- EPA authority over greenhouse gas emissions (veto threat)
Now it's time for us to support Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid. Call your Representatives and Senators and ask:
Will you support the Energy Independence and Security Act?
More details of EISA from Hill Heat:
- CAFE Standard: Increase fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for new cars and trucks
- Renewable Fuels Standard: Multiple-source domestic biofuels mandate with environmental safeguards
- Plug-in hybrid/electric vehicle tax credit and advanced vehicle incentives
- Repeal of $21 billion in tax subsidies for gas and oil companies (H.R. 6), international tax loophole closed, rollback of 2005 Energy Act tax breaks
- Renewable Electricity Standard: 15% by 2020 (4% may be efficiency)
- Efficiency Standards: new appliance and building standards
- Renewable Production Tax Credit and other incentives: extends existing PTC, funds renewable research, provides renewable energy bonds for power providers
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program
- Incentives for small business development of renewable energy technology
- Carbon Capture and Sequestration: R&D and clean coal incentives
The Democratic leadership is whipping votes now. Now is the time to call the Capitol switchboard ((202) 224-3121) and ask:
Will you support the Energy Independence and Security Act?