I welcome Chairman Dingell and Chairman Boucher's decision to back down from several controversial provisions in their draft energy legislation that would have taken our nation in exactly the wrong direction when it comes to energy independence and global warming.

The original discussion draft would have overturned the Supreme Court's decision on Massachusetts vs. EPA regarding regulation of CO2 emissions from motor vehicle tailpipes. It would have pre-empted California from adopting their own stronger standards, thereby blocking other states from adopting the California standard. It would have put in place weak fuel economy standards for cars and trucks are insufficient in meeting the challenge our nation faces from its increasing dependence on imported oil from the Middle East. And finally, it would have increased emissions of carbon dioxide pollutants by promoting coal-to-liquids fuels. 

There was broad opposition to these provisions, from Governors, the Attorneys General, and the environmental and public interest community. Twelve Democratic members of the committee, including me, all opposed the draft, as did Speaker Pelosi. A bill with these provisions in it was clearly  not going to become law. 

The new version contains several important provisions that I intend to support, such as the energy efficiency provisions, which will strengthen and expand appliance efficiency standards, reform DOE's management of the program, improve federal building efficiency, and move our nation forward towards adoption of a smart grid that makes use of telecommunications technologies to better manage demand.

I look forward to further debate on this bill. This Congress has an historic opportunity to finally increase the fuel economy of our cars and light trucks, and I intend to continue my efforts to enact such legislation.