July 27, 2007

Urge Your Representative to Support the

House Energy Package!

 

Hadassah has long believed that a decreased dependence on foreign oil would bolster U.S. foreign policy options and strengthen America’s support for Israel.  Hadassah also strongly supports environmental protection, based on the Jewish imperative to preserve the earth’s resources, Ba’al Tashhit, “do not destroy”.  With these objectives in mind, Hadassah supports the enactment of a comprehensive energy policy that provides for strong programs of energy conservation and the development of alternative non-fossil fuel energy options that do not harm our natural environment.

 

Early next week, the U.S. House of Representatives will be considering an energy package that will move forward in two separate bills.  The first, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (HR.2776) seeks to provide long-term incentives for companies to invest in renewable energies and establish new tax credit bonds to finance innovative local projects.  HR.2776 would also extend tax benefits to individuals bringing America closer to energy independence by, for example, installing solar panels on their homes or buying plug-in hybrid cars.  The second bill in the package combines several bipartisan measures passed out of ten congressional committees.  Specific provisions include setting new efficiency standards for household appliances, promoting “green” buildings in the public and private sector, and establishing initiatives that support states carrying out energy efficient and alternative fuel transportation projects.

 

Not currently included in the House energy package, but likely to be introduced as an amendment, is a provision mandating a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) of 20 percent by 2020.  RES is a market-based mechanism that requires utilities to use a certain percentage of their electricity generation from clean, renewable resources, such as wind, or, alternatively, to buy renewable energy credits from others.  Increasing RES to 20 percent by 2020 would curb global warming by decreasing fossil fuel emissions and improve national security by increasing and diversifying our domestic energy supply.

 

Action Needed: Please call or e-mail your Representative with the following message:

 

 “I urge you to vote YES on the House Energy package when it is brought to the floor and YES on the amendment that would increase the Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) to 20 percent by 2020.  By reducing energy dependence, increasing energy efficiency, developing green technologies, and reducing carbon emissions, we will decrease our energy costs, create new jobs, curb global warming and strengthen our national security.”

 

Representatives can be reached through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. 

 

To send an instant e-mail message to your Representative or to learn more about other issues of concern to Hadassah, please visit the Legislative Action Center (LAC) at our website: www.hadassah.org/actionalert.