More people showing Dubya what leadership means. You don't solve energy problems by turning the clock back to 1955...
Washington, June 18, 2001---recent Republican defector U.S. Senator James Jeffords (I-Vt) joined Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and 59 other Senators in sending a letter to key (6/21/2001)Senate Appropriations Committee members, asking for for increased funding for renewable energy programs in the fiscal year 2002 budget for the U.S. Department of Energy. The President's budget calls for a 36% reduction in funding for renewable energy research and development (R&D) overall and a 48% cut in spending on wind energy R&D.
Bingaman, recently appointed as Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, said, "I believe the President's budget is taking our country in the wrong direction. We shouldn't be cutting funding for renewable research at the same time we are facing energy shortages. On the contrary, we should be taking full advantage of all of our energy resources. Solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass can all play an important role." "It is time to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and invest in renewable energy sources here at home," said Jeffords. "The cuts in the President's budget for renewable energy will not stand."
The letter was sent to U.S. Sens. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), the Chairman and the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. Sen. Reid, a strong advocate of renewables programs, also signed the letter to show his support.
Advocates for renewable energy research funding were pleased with the strong support that the letter received. A similar letter sent last year garnered 56 signatures. There is also strong support in the House for raising renewable energy research funding above the levels requested by the Administration, where over 122 members signed a similar letter by Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.).
Author:EyeforEnergy Newsdesk
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