Letters From Washington

Comment

Comment by Missy Steichen on December 8, 2009 at 4:00pm

YES! After the big blow-off he gave Boone about the Swift Boat ads, he told me he would not support the PP. However, it's good news... A letter I received from Senator Al Franken today...



December 8, 2009

Dear Missy,

Thank you for contacting me about natural gas. I share your strong support for shifting our nation to clean energy, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this issue of importance to Minnesota and the nation.

Minnesota is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in clean energy production. Whether it's harnessing the wind in Pipestone, growing the next generation of bio-fuels in Willmar, or tapping into geothermal energy in Appleton, Minnesota is ready to lead. This is one of the reasons I support comprehensive energy legislation.

We need a national energy plan that keeps our country moving down a path to a homegrown economy with more jobs, more innovation, and more opportunities for investment. As we transition to the new energy economy, it's critical that we fully examine all options.

S. 1408, The New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act, would extend and increase tax credits for natural gas vehicles and refueling. The bill was introduced on July 8, 2009, and has been referred to the Committee on Finance, where it is pending further action. While I do not sit on this committee, I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind should the legislation come before the full Senate for consideration.

Thank you again for contacting me, I look forward to hearing from you in the future on this or any other matter of concern to you.
Sincerely,



Al Franken
United States Senator

Comment by amy oconnor on November 18, 2009 at 12:11pm

Below is a response to the recent comments I received from you:

Dear Ms. OConnor:

Thank you for sharing your views regarding the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.

On July 8, 2009, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced S. 1408, the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act. This bill would expand and extend several tax incentives to encourage the manufacturing of natural gas vehicles and associated infrastructure in the United States. The NAT GAS Act was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance where it awaits further consideration. Although I am not a member of this committee, I will be sure to keep your views in mind should this bill receive the attention of the full Senate.

It is an honor and privilege to serve the people of the great State of Florida in the United States Senate. I take great pride in being a native Floridian, and I look forward to the tremendous opportunity to better the lives of all Floridians. I assure you I will work hard to represent our state to the best of my ability in the U.S. Senate. If I can be of any help to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Sincerely,

George S. LeMieux
United States Senator

Comment by Codi Prachar on November 17, 2009 at 9:28am

Thanks for posting, Allen!

Comment by allen bauman on November 16, 2009 at 6:42pm

Dear Mr. Bauman:

Thank you for writing to express your support for the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act of 2009. I agree that America is heavily reliant on imported oil to meet its energy needs, and that developing more domestically abundant energy resources like natural gas can move us closer to the goal of energy independence.

Natural gas is a major fuel supply for the United States, accounting for about 24% of total energy in 2008. U.S. consumers received most of their supply, 91%, from domestic production and imports have decreased over time as new sources of natural gas are discovered and new techniques for extraction are developed. In last year alone, advances in unconventional gas production led to a 7.7% increase in production in the continental United States.

America needs to become less reliant on imported energy resources. By transitioning away from dirty and expensive imported energy sources to clean and abundant domestically produced energy sources, the United States will protect both the environment and secure our energy independence. That is one of the reasons why I supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, which made significant investments in alternative energy including more $20 billion in energy related tax incentives. The package designated $14.1 billion for renewable energy, $2.3 billion for energy efficiency, $2.2 billion for transportation, $1.6 billion for manufacturing, and $1.4 billion for state and local government energy bonds. The renewable energy provisions include incentives for alternative energy investment and alternative energy production. In particular, ARRA expands an energy production tax credit that has been available for wind facilities and other qualifying facilities such as landfill gas, geothermal, hydropower, and others. Additionally, I sought to include provisions that would promote the utilization of solar and wind energy, energy efficiency, as well as a 21st century electrical grid.

I am also sponsoring the Save American Energy Act to further help New Yorkers save energy and increase efficiency. The bill would require utilities to assist consumers in becoming more energy efficient, resulting in 15% retail electricity savings and 10% natural gas savings by 2020 through the adoption of simple, currently available energy efficiency measures. The utilities could comply with the bill through a variety of mechanisms, including working with States to design new building codes, offering discounts and rebates for energy star appliances, and by installing programmable thermostats, more efficient lighting and better insulation in homes and business.

As you know, the NAT GAS Act aims to capitalize on the abundance of domestically produced energy by transitioning America’s transportation infrastructure and automobile industries away from traditional petroleum fuel powered technology towards natural gas power technology. This would be accomplished by promoting the purchase and use of natural gas vehicles, and incentivizing the installation of natural gas fuel pumps, service stations and depots. Additionally, the bill would mandate that at least 50% of all new vehicles purchased by the US Government be capable of operating on natural gas by 2014.

The NAT GAS Act has been referred to the Finance Committee, of which I am a member, and I will closely monitor the bill as the committee begins consideration.

Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of assistance to you on this, or any other matter.



Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

Comment by Robert Schultz on November 6, 2009 at 4:49pm

Dear Mr. Schultz,

Thank you for contacting me about the urgent actions our nation must take toward energy independence and a clean energy future. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.

Despite our country's long-time dependence on foreign oil, plug-in electric vehicles can make significant reductions in oil use and greenhouse gas emissions. By substituting electricity for gasoline and diesel fuels, plug-in electric vehicles can also lower our political and economic reliance on oil markets, cut tailpipe emissions, and boost overall efficiency and performance. Today's plug-in electric vehicles can attain fuel efficiencies approaching 70 miles per gallon, and most importantly for consumers, charging a plug-in hybrid at current rates costs the equivalent of just $1 per gallon of gas, representing a remarkable reduction in annual fuel costs. Wide-scale adoption of this game-changing technology can play a key role in providing our nation with greater energy, environmental, and economic security.

In order to accelerate the domestic production and adoption of plug-in vehicles, on January 15, 2009, Senator Orrin Hatch and I introduced the Fuel Reduction using Electrons to End Dependence on the Mid-East (FREEDOM) Act of 2009 (S. 271). Just weeks after it was introduced, on February 17, provisions from the FREEDOM Act were signed into law as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1). This new law greatly expands the number of plug-in electric vehicles eligible for existing consumer tax incentives and creates new incentives for 2- and 3-wheeled and neighborhood or low-speed electric vehicles. In addition, it will also provide tax credits of up to $4,000 for consumers who invest in equipment to convert any motor vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle. Finally, our legislation augmented existing tax incentives for the installation of electric vehicle refueling stations.

This legislation builds on the success of a bill Senator Hatch and I introduced along with then-Senator Obama last Congress, the FREEDOM Act of 2007, which adopted a multi-tiered tax incentives strategy designed to accelerate the domestic development, manufacturing, and sale of a full range of plug-in electric drive vehicles including pure battery electrics, extended range electrics, plug-in hybrid electrics, and plug-in fuel cell vehicles. The 2007 bill was well received in Congress, and parts of it were included in a $17 billion clean energy tax package I championed, the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, that was approved by the Senate on a 93 to 2 vote and was enacted into law as part of a larger legislative package on October 2, 2008. This bill provides new car buyers up to $7,500 to buy plug-in electric cars, trucks or SUVs - vehicles that will start appearing on showroom floors in 2010 and will likely achieve over 100 miles per gallon. This tax credit, which starts at $2,500 and goes up $417 for each kilowatt hour of traction battery capacity in excess of 4 kilowatt hours, covers new all electric vehicles.

I am fighting to make the next chapter in America's energy story less about where we can drill to get more oil, and more about opportunities to help consumers get more from their energy dollar and grow the American economy. Plug-in electric vehicles, which can utilize electricity from a broad array of domestic resources, will be a big part of that next chapter. According to a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) study, even our current electricity infrastructure could support an estimated 70 percent of America's passenger vehicle fleet. Fully utilizing the grid in this way would displace 6.5 million barrels of oil each day-an amount equivalent to 50 percent of our oil imports-and cut greenhouse gases by an estimated 20 percent.

Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter. You may also be interested in signing up for periodic updates for Washington state residents. If you are interested in subscribing to this update, please visit my website at http://cantwell.senate.gov. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator

For future correspondence with my office, please visit my website at
http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/index.html

Comment by Chandrashekar Tamirisa on November 3, 2009 at 6:04pm

Dear Mr. Tamirisa:

Thank you for getting in touch with me about a cap and trade system to reduce global warming pollution. It's good to hear from you.

I appreciate hearing of your opposition to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454) and the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. H.R. 2454 has passed the House of Representatives. The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act is currently pending in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Both of these bills would establish a cap and trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

I agree that Congress must consider the impact of this legislation on our economy and on American jobs. America's dependence on foreign oil and global warming must be addressed in a way that strengthens our economy.

Knowing of your views and concerns will be helpful as the Senate addresses the issue of climate change.

Thanks once again for writing. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in the future.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

Please do not respond directly to this e-mail. The originating e-mail account is not monitored. If you would like to get in touch with me again, please visit my Webform at http://mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm.

Comment by Robert Schultz on October 30, 2009 at 11:00am

Dear Robert,

Thank you for contacting me in regard to the process of hydraulic fracturing. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

I agree that ensuring the safety of our drinking water is crucial and that the processes we employ to access our natural resources are done in a responsible manner. Hydraulic fracturing is one of the most sophisticated methods of extracting natural gas from deep within rock. It is done in such a way as to limit exposure and contamination. Be assured that I will keep your views in mind as this issue is raised in Congress.

Thank you again for contacting me on this important issue. It is an honor to represent the people of Eastern Washington . I invite you to visit my website at www.mcmorrisrodgers.house.gov for additional information or to sign up to be kept up to date on these issues. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Best Wishes,

Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Member of Congress

Comment by allen bauman on October 29, 2009 at 4:02pm

From Senator Chuck Schumer on the Nat Gas Act, etc.....

Dear Mr. Bauman:

Thank you for writing to express your support for the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act of 2009. I agree that America is heavily reliant on imported oil to meet its energy needs, and that developing more domestically abundant energy resources like natural gas can move us closer to the goal of energy independence.

Natural gas is a major fuel supply for the United States, accounting for about 24% of total energy in 2008. U.S. consumers received most of their supply, 91%, from domestic production and imports have decreased over time as new sources of natural gas are discovered and new techniques for extraction are developed. In last year alone, advances in unconventional gas production led to a 7.7% increase in production in the continental United States.

America needs to become less reliant on imported energy resources. By transitioning away from dirty and expensive imported energy sources to clean and abundant domestically produced energy sources, the United States will protect both the environment and secure our energy independence. That is one of the reasons why I supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, which made significant investments in alternative energy including more $20 billion in energy related tax incentives. The package designated $14.1 billion for renewable energy, $2.3 billion for energy efficiency, $2.2 billion for transportation, $1.6 billion for manufacturing, and $1.4 billion for state and local government energy bonds. The renewable energy provisions include incentives for alternative energy investment and alternative energy production. In particular, ARRA expands an energy production tax credit that has been available for wind facilities and other qualifying facilities such as landfill gas, geothermal, hydropower, and others. Additionally, I sought to include provisions that would promote the utilization of solar and wind energy, energy efficiency, as well as a 21st century electrical grid.

I am also sponsoring the Save American Energy Act to further help New Yorkers save energy and increase efficiency. The bill would require utilities to assist consumers in becoming more energy efficient, resulting in 15% retail electricity savings and 10% natural gas savings by 2020 through the adoption of simple, currently available energy efficiency measures. The utilities could comply with the bill through a variety of mechanisms, including working with States to design new building codes, offering discounts and rebates for energy star appliances, and by installing programmable thermostats, more efficient lighting and better insulation in homes and business.

As you know, the NAT GAS Act aims to capitalize on the abundance of domestically produced energy by transitioning America’s transportation infrastructure and automobile industries away from traditional petroleum fuel powered technology towards natural gas power technology. This would be accomplished by promoting the purchase and use of natural gas vehicles, and incentivizing the installation of natural gas fuel pumps, service stations and depots. Additionally, the bill would mandate that at least 50% of all new vehicles purchased by the US Government be capable of operating on natural gas by 2014.

The NAT GAS Act has been referred to the Finance Committee, of which I am a member, and I will closely monitor the bill as the committee begins consideration.

Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of assistance to you on this, or any other matter.



Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

Comment by Robert Schultz on October 7, 2009 at 2:50pm

Dear Robert,

Thank you for your message regarding support for a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), also known as a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which would require electric utilities to gradually increase their use of renewable energy sources. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

I support a comprehensive energy strategy-one that includes the development and production of renewable energy such as wind, solar, and hydropower. In fact, the state of Washington leads the nation in hydropower, producing more than 85% of the state's electricity.

I believe we have the capacity in this country to double the input of clean hydropower without building another dam. Be assured that I will continue to support these types of effective energy sources that will ultimately lower our dependence on foreign oil-with fewer carbon emissions.

Thanks again for contacting me on this important issue. As your Representative in Congress, I am committed to putting the best interests of Eastern Washington first. I invite you to visit my website at www.mcmorrisrodgers.house.gov for additional information or to sign up for updates on these issues. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if I can be of further assistance.

Best Wishes,

Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Member of Congress

Comment by Micah Lauer on October 5, 2009 at 4:43pm

Thanks for sharing, Robert!

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