Chamber Praises House Passage of Comprehensive Energy Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a comprehensive energy bill—one of the Chamber's top policy priorities for 2005.

"Enactment of comprehensive energy legislation is critical to American livelihoods and to our economy," said William Kovacs, Chamber vice president of environmental affairs. "This bill deals with energy production, conservation, research, new technologies, and investment in infrastructure."

Increases in energy consumption and a decline in domestic production have put a strain on the nation's energy availability, according to the Chamber. The House measure has all of the essential components that will help the United States meet the growing demand of energy while reducing our dependency on foreign oil.

"At a time when everyone feels the pinch from higher gas prices, this plan puts us back on track for securing our nation's energy needs," continued Kovacs.

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 1,300 small and large businesses, labor unions, and energy suppliers urging Congress to pass such a plan. The

Chamber looks forward to the Senate taking up this legislation as quickly as possible.

The Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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