Policy

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Today – Energy Efficiency for Tomorrow

"As President Clinton considers helping consumers by releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve he must also help energy consumers by renewing efforts to promote energy efficiency."

"Energy policy must move to the front burner of Congressional action and Presidential debate rather than rhetoric as heating oil, natural gas, and gasoline prices skyrocket, threatening American consumers," urges Alliance to Save Energy President David M. Nemtzow.

Several leading environmental and energy groups today praised Senators Grassley, Rockefeller and Jeffords and Representatives Nussle and Tanner for their leadership on energy-efficient, environmentally friendly technology in introducing the Resource Efficient Appliances Incentives Act of 2000. This bill creates tax incentives for high-efficiency clothes washers and refrigerator-freezers from 2001 through 2006, complimenting a proposed federal efficiency standard agreed on by energy advocates, appliance manufacturers, and state and local governments in May.

Energy Consumers Can Save More Money

So often we hear public officials talk about how they came to Washington to clean things up. It now looks like Senators Grassley, Rockefeller, and Jeffords Congressmen Nussle, Tanner and the other cosponsors of "The Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act" may just do that.

“OPEC is once again in the driver’s seat and Congress has handed them the keys,” testified David M. Nemtzow, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, which was founded by then-Senator Charles Percy during the oil crises of the 1970s.

"New power plants and transmission wires aren’t the best answer to the nation’s growing electricity demands and increased threat of blackouts and brownouts during summer heat waves. It’s easier, quicker, cheaper, and cleaner to encourage energy-efficient technologies and peak load management," states Alliance to Save Energy President David M. Nemtzow.

Today’s landmark agreement is about looking in the right place.

Some think the answer to our energy problems is to be found in Saudi Arabia. And some think the answer to our environmental problems is found in Kyoto.

In fact, the solution to our energy and environmental problems is found in utility rooms across the U.S.

"American drivers are the latest victims of Congress and auto manufacturers’ refusal to help get U.S. oil demand under control. Auto manufacturers are dragging their feet getting fuel-efficient technologies for SUVs and cars into the market place – technologies that would weaken the grip OPEC has on our oil-dependant country – and Congress is letting them get away with it," states Alliance President David M. Nemtzow.

Statement by David M. Nemtzow, President Alliance to Save Energy

"OPEC is, once again, back in the driver’s seat – and the reason is needless. America’s addiction and dependency to oil has increased demand and sent prices soaring. To lower oil prices, Congress must help Americans cut their oil use by promoting efficiency – not only at home, but also on the road, and in business. Efficiency is the only option."

Congress must cut oil waste immediately to cut prices. These are 10 ways Congress can do it:

"Since 1995, Congress has blocked fuel economy standards more effectively than a convoy of truckers protesting high diesel fuel prices will block roads today in the nation’s capital," states Alliance to Save Energy President David M. Nemtzow, pointing a finger to one of the major causes for high diesel and fuel oil prices. "Congress has consistently refused to increase fuel economy standards.