Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz voted in strong support today of the Energy Independence and Security Act, which passed the House by a vote of 235 to 181. The bill raises fuel efficiency standards for the first time in over 30 years and dramatically increases the use of clean energy technologies. The bill is paid for by reclaiming billions in taxpayer subsidies from the profit rich oil and gas industry.  

“Today the Democratic Congress moved America toward a new, brighter, more self-reliant energy future. In addition to the historic CAFE increases, our plan makes meaningful investments in renewable energy and conservation,” said Congresswoman Schwartz.

As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congresswoman Schwartz helped write the $21.5 billion tax package portion of the bill. Through her seat on Ways and Means, Schwartz was able to successfully include a five year extension of tax incentives for the construction of energy efficient buildings. This provision was modeled after Schwartz’s bipartisan Buildings for the 21st Century Act, which was endorsed by the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Known throughout Pennsylvania for her strong record on the environment, Schwartz was widely praised for her leadership on the bill.

“Buildings are major energy consumers and ensuring that they have an energy efficient design is an important part of the equation to make our nation more energy independent. I thank Rep. Schwartz for her leadership to extend the energy efficient commercial buildings tax deduction.”
- John Claypool, Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects Philadelphia chapter

“National Environmental Trust greatly appreciates the work of Rep. Schwartz to support including CAFE standards in this energy bill.  She is a true champion for clean energy policies.”
- Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director of the Clean Air Council.

“I applaud Rep. Schwartz for supporting the Energy Independence and Security Act and her significant contributions to this bill. These policies will significantly help to lessen the emissions that contribute to global warming.”
- Joy Bergey, Global Warming Outreach Coordinator for Penn Future

“Penn Environment thanks Rep. Schwartz for being an early supporter in Congress of the renewable energy portfolio standard and her work to create a new energy future for Pennsylvania.”
- Adam Garber, a Field Organizer for Penn Environment

Key Provisions of the Energy Independence and Security Act:

• The bill includes a $21 billion tax incentive package, which repeals $13 billion in tax breaks that were needlessly given to the profit rich oil and gas industry and invests those savings in clean renewable energy and new American technologies. The tax package promotes renewable energy through incentives for solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal technologies and supports cutting-edge energy research.
• Increases the fuel efficiency of vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This is the first increase in a generation and is supported by environmentalists and the automobile industry (CAFE).  These provisions will save American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump and reduce greenhouse gases equal to taking off the road 28 million of today's average cars and trucks.
• Makes an historic commitment to American-grown biofuels and requires for the first time that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources, such as wind and solar. 
• Saves consumers hundreds of billion of dollars through landmark new energy efficiency standards for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting and buildings.
• Trains workers for 3 million new “green” jobs over the next 10 years. 

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