Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz delivered the following speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today regarding the BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast and the need for a plan to develop alternative sources of energy.

“As a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon Blowout, tens of millions of gallons of oil have polluted the Gulf Coast.

“This is the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history.  It is also a clarion call to action -- a call to develop alternative sources of energy – urgently.

“Without a determined commitment to alternative fuels, we will never end our nation’s addiction to fossil fuels which demands drilling in deeper and more dangerous locations, increasing the potential for other devastating consequences.

“I’ve introduced legislation with bipartisan support to encourage the next generation of biofuels -- fuels made from living matter such as plants and algae.

“Along with incentives to expand other alternative sources and energy efficiency, this proposal is exactly what the renewable fuel industry needs to get bio-fuel facilities built in the United States.

“New bio-refineries will produce clean energy and create new jobs here at home.

“The Biotechnology Industry Organization estimates that direct job creation from cellulosic biofuels will create 190,000 jobs by 2022.

“By working with the private industry to advance this next generation of fuels, we can put our nation on a path to safer, cleaner, domestically produced energy.” 

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