Dear Friends,
As we observe Earth Day, we must also take time to reflect on our stewardship of the environment: where we have been and where we are going. We should use this opportunity to renew our efforts to protect the environment, our children and our future.
 | |
|
As a community, we must make a commitment to protecting our resources and our economic future by creating new technologies that meet our energy needs.
In the past 39 years, our country has done much to protect our most treasured natural resources, improve the air that we breathe and clean up the water that we drink. However, as gas prices are rising, electricity is becoming increasingly expensive, our environment is still threatened by a range of problems related to energy dependence on unsustainable fossil fuels and loss of biodiversity.
Over the past year, I have kept my commitment to our environment and our economic livelihood by working with my colleagues to create common sense solutions to our energy crisis:
Bio-Energy
- As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I led efforts to promote research and investment in ethanol produced agricultural waste in the 2007 Farm Bill. This included creating an Ethanol Loan Guarantee Program, authorizing funding for new ethanol technologies and redefining biomass to include citrus pulp and peel, so that Florida's producers are able to play a larger role in the cellulosic ethanol industry.
Energy Independence
- I was proud to cast my vote in support of the Energy Independence and Security Act. This legislation decreases our dependence on foreign oil by increasing our country's use of renewable energy, raising fuel efficiency standards, increasing the efficiency of buildings and appliances, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
- I also supported the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act, which helps Florida develop its emerging biofuels industry. The biofuels industry will create jobs for rural Florida and improve our national security by making America more energy independent.
Everglades Restoration
- This year, I spearheaded the effort to override the President's veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Congress had not passed a WRDA bill since 2000, and as a result, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) had received zero federal dollars. With my leadership, the new WRDA authorization provides critical funding for environmental projects throughout the country, including $1.37 billion for the Indian River Lagoon-South project for wetlands and estuary restoration and $375 million for the Picayune Strand ecosystem restoration project.
 | |
|
Earth Day is a wonderful time to renew our commitment to a safer, healthier and cleaner world for all of us to share. I encourage you to rededicate yourself to protecting the environment for our children and grandchildren.
Below are some resources to learn more about Earth Day and local efforts to care for our environment:
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views with me. I also encourage you to stay informed of what is happening in Congress by visiting my website at www.mahoney.house.gov. You might also like to sign up for my periodic email updates while you're on the website.
Sincerely, |
No comments:
Post a Comment