U.S. Chamber Pushes for National Energy Plan

-Applauds House Vote, Seeks Senate Action

WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas Donohue today congratulated the House for passing comprehensive energy legislation and joined Senate leaders to urge for quick action in the Senate.

"We need to get our energy security back on track, or we will wind up like California – fighting blackouts and price spikes," said Donohue. "We cannot afford to be lulled into a false sense of security on the energy issue. Complacency has tremendous consequences for businesses, consumers and our country."

The House yesterday passed an energy package by a vote of 240 to 189, that includes conservation, development of alternative and renewable energy, improved and expanded infrastructure and increases in domestic energy supply. The Chamber is now focusing its efforts to build support among both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate on the accomplishments achieved in the House.

The Chamber has led the fight for a national energy plan and co-chairs the Alliance for Energy and Economic Growth – a broad-based coalition of more than 500 small and large businesses, labor unions, and energy suppliers lobbying Congress to pass such a plan.

"The House energy bill provides environmental protection, utilizes the latest technologies, will help grow our economy and ensure the quality of life Americans have come to expect," added Donohue. "Business growth and development depend on an affordable and reliable energy supply."

Donohue also noted in his remarks that "a comprehensive national energy plan will require significant capital investments – lead to tens of thousands of jobs in construction, transportation, and other industries – giving a much needed shot in the arm of the U.S. economy."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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