"Thursday’s passage of this bill by the Energy & Air Quality Subcommittee marks the passage of the first major energy policy legislation by a House or Senate Subcommittee in almost a decade. Not only have we kept our commitment to develop a long-needed energy policy, but we were able to reach across the aisle to formulate comprehensive legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support, demonstrated by the 29 to 1 vote for passage.
"This bill, demonstrating the first in a series we intend to pass this Congress, included substantive language relating to five major areas of energy policy - nuclear energy; hydroelectric energy; clean coal; boutique fuels; and conservation. Among the most debated provisions was a move to increase the fuel economy and emission, or "CAFE", standards for all light trucks. The prevailing amendment, offered by Rep. Richard Burr (NC), directs the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to increase the fuel economy average for light trucks (including most SUVs) such that five billion gallons of gasoline will be saved over the model years 2004 to 2010. This is the first congressional action on CAFE standards in more than six years, and passed the Subcommittee with a bipartisan vote of 29 - 3.
"I can not stress enough the importance of this bill’s passage. We, as the world’s leading economic nation, have been without a substantive national energy policy for far too long. By putting aside party differences and working with President Bush and Vice President Cheney, we have taken a major step in formulating an energy policy which will guarantee increased supplies, environmental responsibility and economic solvency through this century. We will follow yesterday’s victory with legislation focusing on the electricity, nuclear waste, natural gas, pipeline safety and environmental arenas."
-U.S. Representative Joe Barton