U.S. House Endorses Congressman Cohen Plan to Increase Investment in Alternative Fuel Research
September 16, 2009
The Cohen amendment was passed unanimously and was included as part of HR 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act that passed the House today.
“To reduce our reliance on foreign oil, we need to invest in every possible alternative fuel, from biofuels, ethanol, and even compressed air. Cars and trucks that run on this technology are already being manufactured overseas. I believe that with the right amount of federal investment, and good old Tennessee ingenuity, we can make this technology work even more efficiently for Americans,” Congressman Cohen said. “My amendment opens up opportunities for Memphis Bioworks and Sharp to compete for federal grants that have the potential to create good-paying research and manufacturing jobs in the Ninth District.”
World-wide there are two major car companies manufacturing cars that run on compressed air. These vehicles have attracted the attention of countries like India which are trying to reduce their national carbon emissions while providing reliable transportation alternatives to their citizens. At present, existing compressed air cars average more than 115 gas equivalent miles per gallon and can reach speeds of 90 miles per hour – they also emit almost zero carbon dioxide and only cost 2-3 dollars to fill up.
“Our national and economic security are both at risk when we export billions of dollars overseas for oil,” Congressman Cohen said. “By investing in American energy and technology that boosts fuel efficiency, we are creating jobs, 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.
“Cash for Clunkers was an enormous success, boosting car sales for the auto industry and reducing car emissions at the same time,” Congressman Cohen said. “Now this bill will spur research to develop new, more efficient cars for American consumers.”
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.
“Reducing our reliance on foreign sources of energy is part of the broad economic strategy this Congress and President Obama are working to enact,” Congressman Cohen said. “By passing short-term boosts to our economy like Cash for Clunkers, as well as long-term solutions like the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act and our clean energy jobs bill, we are creating jobs here at home and spurring American innovation.”
The bipartisan Advanced Vehicle Technology Act is supported by a broad coalition, including labor groups like the United Autoworkers, auto companies such as Ford Motor Company, 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.
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________________________
Steven Broderick
Communications Director
Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9)
1005 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Direct: 202-226-7916
Main: 202-225-3265
steven.broderick@mail.house.gov