Today, the House will consider H.R. 3246, legislation by Rep. Gary Peters to strengthen and reauthorize the Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program, which invests in a diverse range of near-term and long-range vehicle technologies that will improve fuel efficiency, support domestic research and manufacturing, and lead to greater consumer choice of vehicle technologies and fuels. Congressman Maffei took to the floor of the House to voice his support for the bill. Rep. Maffei’s statement is below.
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you very much to the distinguished Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee, Bart Gordon. I also want to thank my colleague on the Financial Services Committee, a very distinguished new member of the house, Gary Peters, the sponsor of this bill. By increasing the power of alternative and renewable energy, we have the opportunity to break our addiction of foreign oil, reduce global warming and create millions of new jobs in the process - ones that cannot be shipped overseas.
“In my own region, we are doing research in alternative fuels such as butanol at the school of Environmental Service and Forestry in Syracuse. And we have hydrogen fuel cell technology going on at the Rochester institutes of higher education, as well as the Adelphi plant there.
“We are already using these new fuel vehicles, the ones that have already come out. On Monday I stood at an old train station in downtown Syracuse, which had been abandoned years ago and was creating an eyesore. By using stimulus money, Clean Cities will turn this building into a charging station for electric cars, as well as alternative fueling hub for ‘Cuse Car, an alternative fuel car sharing company in Syracuse.
“Using this bill, it can become a center for the research on the practical use of these advanced technology vehicles. Our energy policy is heading in the right direction, and the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act ensures that we are charting the right course for our new energy future.”
To watch video of Congressman Maffei’s speech, click here.
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