CONTACTS: Linda Rozett/Eric Wohlschlegel
(202) 463-5682 / 888-249-NEWS

 

Thursday, June 21, 2007

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.— General James L. Jones (Ret.), President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber's newly formed Institute for 21st Century Energy, today called on Congress to rethink the current direction of pending energy legislation and adopt a more inclusive approach.

 

“Members of Congress should be commended for focusing on the right issue at the right time—how to ensure an affordable, clean, and growing supply of energy for American families while protecting our national security,” said Jones. “However, as currently drafted, pending bills in both the House and Senate could make America less energy secure and cause even higher energy prices for consumers and businesses.”

 

The former Marines Corps Commandant and Supreme Allied Commander for Europe noted that the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which was enacted with solid bipartisan support, contains important provisions to speed up domestic energy development while also investing in promising energy alternatives and greater efficiency.

 

“Some in Congress seem inclined to roll back many of these commitments, while unnecessarily favoring some energy sources over others. What the nation needs is a more inclusive and thoughtful approach that expands our fuel and power supply from all sources while improving efficiency and respecting the environment.”

 

Jones also questioned proposals to impose billions of dollars in new taxes on America’s energy companies. “Raising taxes could mean fewer resources being made available for innovation, exploration, and the development of new, clean energy technologies,” he warned.

 

The mission of the Institute for 21st Century Energy, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is to unify energy stakeholders and policymakers behind a common strategy to ensure that America's supply of fuel and power is adequate, diverse, and affordable, while protecting national security and improving the environment. The Institute also conducts international outreach to comprehensively address global energy challenges.

 

Through a comprehensive, fact-based program of education, advocacy, and consensus-building, the Institute will build support for energy acquisition from traditional and alternative sources, a superior infrastructure to move fuel and power to consumers, increased energy efficiency, and the sound management of global climate change.

 

The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

 

# # #

 

07-112