Chamber Urges New Congress to Enact Comprehensive Energy Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce is urging the new Congress to make passage of a comprehensive energy bill one of its top policy priorities for 2003. Passing a broad energy bill is necessary to ensure affordable and reliable energy for the future.

"Enactment of comprehensive energy legislation is critical to American livelihoods and our economy," said William Kovacs, Chamber vice president of environmental affairs. "The Energy bill was one of the largest pieces of unfinished business left from the last Congress. A comprehensive bill will ensure that the energy industry can meet our future needs in an affordable and environmentally sound way."

The U.S. Chamber recently joined the Western Business Roundtable to host Senior White House officials in a panel discussion on the challenges faced within the industry to meet this country's electric, gas and infrastructure demands.

Increases in energy consumption and a decline in domestic production have put a strain on the nation's energy availability, according to the Chamber. Further exploration and development of energy sources will generate a greater supply of energy while also reducing our nation's dependency on foreign oil.

"Our nation's increased dependence on foreign oil is a glaring example of our need for an effective energy policy," continued Kovacs. "Action must be taken now in order to reverse the years wasted without a plan."

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 1300 small and large businesses, labor unions, and energy suppliers urging Congress to pass such a plan. The Chamber will continue to work with Congress and the President to enact a comprehensive bill.

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

# # #

03-07