Congressman Maffei today voted to strengthen our economy and national security by boosting American innovation in alternative energies and fuel efficient vehicle technology. The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act, which passed by a vote of 312-114, will create the most comprehensive national vehicle research and development program to date, to build on the achievements of this Congress in advancing clean American energy and fuel efficiency. Congressman Maffei also went to the floor to voice his support for the bill earlier today. Read his floor statement here.
Upon passage of the Act, Congressman Maffei said: “Our national and economic security is at risk when we export billions of dollars overseas for oil. By investing in American energy and technology that boosts fuel efficiency, we are creating jobs that can’t be sent overseas, rebuilding our economy and protecting our national security.”
The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act will build on the historic fuel efficiency standards enacted under a Democratic-led Congress in 2007 and our success with the Cash for Clunkers program – a national program that rewarded Americans who turned in almost 700,000 gas-guzzling and air-polluting older cars for newer, more fuel-efficient models.
Rep. Maffei continued: “Cash for Clunkers was an enormous success, boosting car sales for the auto industry and reducing car emissions at the same time. We need to keep the momentum going. Now this bill will spur research to develop new, more efficient cars for American consumers. Universities and colleges in our area are already leading the field in research and development of alternative fuel technology. This will be the future of our economy, and we need to make investing in green, clean fuels a priority now.”
The bipartisan Advanced Vehicle Technology Act is supported by a broad coalition, including labor groups like the United Autoworkers, auto makers such as Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, business groups like the Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, and environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council.
Earlier this year, the House also passed an historic clean energy jobs bill that will help the private sector create millions of new American jobs that can’t be shipped overseas and help energy-intensive industries transition to a cleaner, more profitable future. It will also allow us to export American technology and innovation to rest of world and cut our oil use by 5 million barrels a day by 2030 – the equivalent of what we import now from Venezuela and the Middle East.
This week, the Obama Administration also announced new auto fuel economy standards that increase efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help consumers save money at the pump and decrease our dependence on foreign oil.
