Letters From Washington

Comment

Comment by Missy Steichen on June 22, 2009 at 7:45pm

Great responses Bob... Keep it up!
It was too bad you had to get back to IA so soon & werent able to make it to Duluth! You missed a great meeting w/ the mayor, two MN Representatives & The Pew Charitable Trust members who were in town to discuss Wind Energy & green job growth in MN. It was the perfect place to spread the PP word!

Keep pushing!

Missy :-)
MN DL-08

Comment by Bob Shultis on June 19, 2009 at 3:43pm

Hi Missy. Sorry I missed you when I was up north (OK- way up north for me!). Thanks for opening this site- it is a great venue, and everyone is treating it properly which is also really cool.

Best regards,
Bob Shultis IA-03

Comment by Bob Shultis on June 19, 2009 at 3:40pm

Letter from Congressman BosweJune 12, 2009


Mr. Bob Shultis
3097 62nd St
Shellsburg, Iowa 52332-9563



Dear Mr. Shultis:

I appreciate you taking the time to share with me your views regarding energy, climate change, and the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The views of my fellow Iowans are an essential component of my decision making process as a Member of Congress.
As you may know, Congressman Henry Waxman introduced H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, on May 15, 2009. This legislation proposes to limit and gradually reduce the emission of green house gases through a regulatory structure referred to as "Cap and Trade". The intent of this bill is to make significant investments in renewable energy development, carbon capture and sequestration for coal, and energy efficiency.
Hopefully, these efforts will make progress towards energy independence, which is vital to our national security and economic prosperity. I also recognize that climate change is real, and we must preserve and protect our rich natural inheritance. At the same time, we cannot afford to harm the economy. Pushing manufacturing jobs to unregulated countries like China - which is opening 2 coal plants per week - would only make the problem worse. We need a commonsense approach that minimizes the cost of transitioning to a green economy, affects all U.S. energy consumers equally, protects America's farmers from unintended consequences, and preserves our natural resources.
As currently written, H.R. 2454 does not provide key protections for Iowa's vital agriculture, biofuels, and biomass industries. It would also unfairly penalize energy consumers in the Midwest more than other states. Though the House Energy and Commerce Committee has completed its consideration of this bill, both of the committees on which I serve - the Committees on Agriculture and Transportation- will have the opportunity to offer some changes within the committees' jurisdiction. The intimate connection between agriculture and the environment - especially farmers' ability to sequester vast amounts of carbon and reduce methane emissions - means that U.S. agriculture producers must be active participants in crafting a carbon offset program that rewards farmers for being part of the solution. Please be assured that I share your interest in protecting both the environment and our economy, and that I will keep your views in mind as the House considers this issue during the upcoming weeks and months of the 111th Congress.
The 111th Congress faces many significant challenges, and economic recovery is vital if we are to meet them. As a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I will continue building upon the job creation opportunities that we have brought to the 3rd District in order to provide the stimulus Iowa needs. I periodically provide electronic updates on issues I think my constituents might be interested in. If you would like to receive the E-newsletter, please sign up at my Web Site at http://boswell.house.gov. As always, please feel free to contact me or my office if ever you think we may be of assistance.




Sincerely,



Leonard L. Boswell
Member of Congress

ll (D-IA):

Comment by Bob Shultis on June 19, 2009 at 3:39pm

Recent letter from Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA):

June 9, 2009

Mr. Bob Shultis
3097 62nd St
Shellsburg, IA 52332-9563

Dear Bob:

Thank you for writing me concerning establishing a national renewable energy standard.

I firmly believe that we need to tackle our energy issues with a two pronged approach. We need to use our energy much more efficiently, and we need to produce more of our energy from clean, renewable, and domestically produced resources. Investing in clean energy will allow us to create new green jobs that are helping grow Iowa’s economy. I am delighted that President Obama shares these priorities and understands the importance of meeting our country’s growing energy needs in an efficient, affordable and environmentally conscious manner. I am also pleased that the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act also known as the stimulus makes strong investments in the research, development and deployment of alternative energy sources. I also believe that a strong national Renewable Energy Standard is a step in the right direction. I look forward to supporting an energy bill that includes a national RES.

Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me. As we begin a new chapter in the United States, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 111th Congress and the Obama Administration to find common sense solutions to help wean us off foreign oil, stimulate the economy, and improve environmental quality. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.

Sincerely,

Tom Harkin
United States Senator

Comment by Leslie G. on June 19, 2009 at 12:08pm

Dear Ms. Greinstein:

Thank you for contacting me about including legislation that would implement a national Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).

An RPS would require the United States to produce a certain percentage of its electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee recently approved legislation that would set a target of generating 15 percent of all electricity from renewable sources by 2021. About one-quarter of that could be offset by gains in energy efficiency.

Over half of the States have an RPS. The Florida Public Service Commission has recommended that the State set a target of 20 percent by 2020; Florida's RPS will become final if approved by the State legislature.

I will keep your views in mind as the Senate continues to discuss a Renewable Portfolio Standard. I believe that we have the technology and ability to meet our nation's energy challenges in a way that will provide new economic opportunities and make us more competitive internationally while protecting consumers from high energy prices.

I appreciate your letter. Please do not hesitate to contact me again.

Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson

Comment by Chris Bylander on June 16, 2009 at 6:25am

THIS IN FROM CONGRESSMAN RUSS CARNAHAN - MO 03. Addressed to Chris Bylander, District Leader Missouri 01 and 03:

June 15, 2009

Dear Mr. Bylander:

Thank you for contacting me in regard to H.R. 1835, the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

As you know, the NAT GAS Act would extend tax credits and incentives to encourage the use of natural gas in the commercial and federal vehicle fleets. It would direct the U.S. government to run 50% of its vehicles on compressed or liquefied natural gas by 2014, and it would authorize the Secretary of Energy to administer grants for research leading to cleaner, more efficient engines powered by natural gas.

Please be assured that since coming to Congress, I have been working hard to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, bring down record-high fuel prices, and launch a cleaner, smarter energy future for America. I have consistently supported legislation to lower costs while creating hundreds of thousands of high paying, clean energy jobs.

This year, Congress has already taken a number of steps to encourage the development of alternative energy sources. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the Stimulus, invested over $43 billion in researching and deploying new sources of energy. I was also pleased to sign a letter to the Appropriations Committee supporting over $25 billion in funds for the Advanced Technology Vehicle Incentive Program, which aids U.S. auto manufacturers in developing the technology and facilities to produce more efficient vehicles.

Currently, the NAT GAS Act has been referred to three House committees, including the Committee on Science and Technology, on which I sit. Please know that as this bill continues to be debated, I will keep your views firmly in mind.

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

Comment by Renee Klink on June 5, 2009 at 6:43am

Great work, Leslie. Thanks!

Comment by Ted Wallace on June 4, 2009 at 12:00pm

Don't know how you do it but thanks. You came thru again.

Comment by Leslie G. on June 4, 2009 at 11:16am

I wrote him again and he sent another letter with a slightly different twist.
Thank you for contacting me regarding the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act (NAT GAS Act), H.R. 1835. Hearing your feedback helps me better serve you in the 111th Congress.
As you know, this legislation was introduced by Rep. Dan Boren (OK-02) on April 1, 2009. This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to: allow an excise tax credit through 2027 for alternative fuels and fuel mixtures involving compressed or liquefied natural gas; allow an income tax credit through 2027 for alternative fuel motor vehicles powered by compressed or liquefied natural gas; modify the tax credit percentage for alternative fuel vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquefied natural gas; allow a new tax credit for the production of vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquefied natural gas; and extend through 2027 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures for refueling property relating to compressed or liquefied natural gas and allow an increased credit for such property.
Additionally, it would require 50% of all new vehicles purchased or placed in service by the U.S. government by December 31, 2014, to be capable of operating on compressed or liquefied natural gas.
H.R. 1835 has been referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. While I am not a member of this Committee, I will be sure to closely monitor this legislation on your behalf. Rest assured that I am committed to working to increase the supply of American-made energy, encourage investment in alternative energy sources, and will support legislation that will drive down the cost of gasoline and ease the burden on your family.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I encourage you to visit my website at www.rooney.house.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter. Please continue to keep me updated on the issues that are important to you
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Rooney
Member of Congress

Comment by www.41WorldUSA.com on June 4, 2009 at 5:55am

June 04, 2009


Dear Suzanne, Paul and 41 World USA,

Global climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing issues facing the country because of the serious impact is has on human health, ecosystems, wildlife, weather, and agriculture.  Congress is working hard to take action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on carbon-neutral energy, and making America more energy independent.  The debate is moving forward and legislation is set to come to the floor sometime this summer. 

The main focus of energy legislation has been to create a cap and trade system for reducing emissions.  A market based approach, this plan would place caps on emissions and allow companies to purchase allowances for emitting greenhouse gases.  This would raise a significant amount of revenue for the government and I believe it is vital that we keep the economic needs of consumers in mind as that revenue is distributed.      

Passing a comprehensive new American energy plan will create important opportunities and strengthen our economy.  A focus on clean energy will create a new green industry with high-paying jobs, all while strengthening our national security by increasing our energy independence.  In these tough economic times, areas like western Wisconsin, which have a highly skilled and educated workforce, have the opportunity to emerge as innovative clean energy leaders.

Sincerely,


Congressman Ron Kind
Representing Wisconsin's
3rd Congressional District


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