Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Lucas joins his colleagues to support the American Energy Act, an all-of-the-above solution for energy independence for this country.  The American Energy Act was introduced today by the members of the American Energy Solutions Group and will be submitted for consideration sometime later this week.

“The American Energy Act is exactly what the American people are looking for when it comes to comprehensive energy legislation,” stated Lucas.  “This bill will provide long-term solutions to our country’s energy problems by encouraging the production of all forms of American energy, including nuclear, clean-coal technology, wind and solar power, and traditional forms of energy.”

The American Energy Act will increase this country’s current domestic supply of energy by lifting drilling restrictions on ANWR, the Outer Continental Shelf, and oil shale in the Mountain West.  It will promote clean energy sources by providing for new nuclear energy facilities, by investing in research and development of alternative energies, and by extending tax incentives for wind and solar power.  In addition, it promotes renewable energy and conservation by extending tax incentives for energy efficiency and rewarding the development of greater conservation techniques. 

“While the American Energy Act will promote job creation by expanding all forms of American produced energy and will lower energy costs in this country, President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Chairman Waxman’s ‘cap-and-tax’ plan will institute an almost trillion-dollar national energy tax that will cost every American family who is currently suffering through this economic recession,” stated Lucas.  “The American Energy Act will provide affordable energy, work towards energy independence, and promote a cleaner environment.  All without the trillion dollar price tag of President Obama’s plan.”

The Waxman-Markey energy bill, which includes the national energy tax known as cap-and-trade, continues to be under consideration in the House.  The House Agriculture Committee, of which Lucas is the Ranking Member, will hold a hearing tomorrow on the impact cap-and-trade will have on rural America.  The hearing will include testimony from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

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