Jan 18, 2007- Kaptur Supports Energy Independence

"As a longtime advocate for ethanol and the development of biodiesel technologies,I am thrilled that our new Democratic Majority has tackled this importantmatter so early in its session. I am pleased that today we are taking someimportant steps in shifting how federal resources are used - taking them awayfrom preferential treatment for an industry with record profits and insteadmaking them available to a new domestic energy industry with record potential."said Congresswoman Kaptur, a Member of the Agriculture AppropriationsSubcommittee and the author of the first energy title in a U.S. Farm Bill.

As fuel and home heating prices rise for Americans across the country and,until recently, gasoline prices skyrocketed with no end in sight, the fivelargest oil companies reported record profits. Since President George W. Bushtook office, the Energy Information Administration reports that the averageprice per gallon at the pump rose a staggering $1.55.

"This Administration sat idly by while Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips reported almost $16 billion in combined profits and the Americanpeople were hurting. Today, hard working Americans can find solace in thisaction to wean our country from its dependence on oil and to curb Big Oil'sinsatiable appetite for subsidies and tax breaks," said Kaptur.

Congresswoman Kaptur further warned that currently 56% of oil consumed in America comesfrom a foreign country, creating a treacherous situation in which our countrycompromises our national security and our economic security, not to mention ourenvironmental security as our massive oil consumption threatens to change ourclimate in disastrous ways.

"Today's legislation opens the door to a cleaner, more secure future for ourchildren," declared Congresswoman Kaptur.