01.27.06

Senators Cantwell, Clinton Tout Initiative to Break U.S. Oil Dependence with Alternative Energy Investments

Senators tour Seattle Biodiesel, promote "Manhattan Project" to create 21st century energy system

SEATTLE, WA – Friday, U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) joined U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) at Seattle Biodiesel to promote energy independence and call for greater federal support for the many ground-breaking alternative energy initiatives already underway at the local level. Cantwell is signing on to Clinton’s legislation to create a latter-day "Manhattan Project" aimed at accelerating the development of advanced energy technologies. Increased federal funding for the development of clean, reliable alternative fuel sources could boost America’s economy, create jobs, and bolster national security.

"It’s time for America to get serious about energy independence," said Cantwell, a member of the Senate Energy Committee and Chair of Energy Independence 2020. "Our reliance on foreign oil poses a threat to our economy, our international competitiveness, and our national security. We need more than half-measures and empty rhetoric that claim all we need to do is find more fossil fuel to burn. We need to jumpstart American innovation and commit to developing clean, home-grown, 21st century solutions to our energy needs."

"We have to roll up our sleeves and dedicate this country to finding a solution. We must commit the federal research and development dollars needed to get the job done. Investing in American innovation will put us on the path to greater energy independence and increased economic competitiveness," said Senator Clinton.

Cantwell joined Clinton and Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in sponsoring the Advanced Research Projects Energy (ARPA-E) Act to fund the groundbreaking research and development needed to move toward a 21st century energy system. The legislation responds to recent recommendations made by the National Academy of Sciences in a report that identified significant gaps in America’s energy strategy. To confront these shortcomings, ARPA-E would create a new office within the Department of Energy charged with leading the way toward energy independence. With an authorized funding level of $9 billion for fiscal years 2007 to 2011, the office would take on high-risk, high pay-off research to move cutting-edge energy technologies into the marketplace.

"To transform our energy future, we must combine the same kind of fast-paced innovation that ushered in the information age, with an investment on the scale of the Manhattan project," said Cantwell. "Biodiesel and ethanol are becoming increasingly cost-competitive. With vision and focus, we can capitalize on American ingenuity, put Washington farmers in the fuel business, and break our dependence on foreign oil."

Modeled on the Defense Advanced Research Program Agency (DARPA)—widely credited with the creation of the internet—this cutting-edge initiative would work to reduce petroleum imports, improve energy efficiency, enhance the reliability of our electric system, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Cantwell joined Senator Clinton at Seattle Biodiesel Friday to promote the ARPA-E Act. Seattle Biodiesel is one of America’s leading commercial biodiesel companies, producing fuel from agricultural crops and working to develop new clean-fuel technologies.

Cantwell is the chair of the Senate Democrats’ Energy Independence 2020 national campaign, working to break America’s overdependence on foreign oil, to protect working families from skyrocketing energy costs, and to stop unfair market manipulation by energy companies. Cantwell is fighting to stop price gouging, provide relief from high home heating costs, and invest in reliable sources of affordable fuel. Last October, Cantwell convened the Biofuels Business Collaborative—a group of Washington businesses, farmers, investors, and fuel consumers—to help create a strong Washington biofuels industry.