U.S. Representative Kathy Castor, who co-sponsored the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007, will highlight local alternative energy research and conservation programs in anticipation of President George W. Bush’s State of the Union address tomorrow night. The CLEAN Energy Act passed last Thursday as part of the “First 100 Hours” Democratic agenda.

“President Bush is likely to talk about the need for America to become energy independent in his State of the Union address tomorrow,” said Castor. “Last year in the State of the Union address President Bush proclaimed that America was addicted to oil, but the Bush Administration failed to propose a sensible and sustainable national energy policy.”

The CLEAN Energy Act ends taxpayer-funded subsidies for Big Oil and creates a Strategic Energy and Renewables Reserve based upon newly captured royalty payments. “Big oil companies have been making record profits while we have been paying record prices. That's wrong. We must work on a far-sighted plan for a more sustainable future, independent of foreign oil entanglements that interfere with our foreign policy,” said Castor.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced last Friday the creation of a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming that will work to free our country of its dependence on foreign energy sources and to confront the rising tide of global warming. The Select Committee will raise the visibility of these urgent issues and gather critical information to protect America’s security.

Speaker Pelosi noted, “I am asking the committees that have jurisdiction over energy, environment and technology policy to report legislation on these issues by June. We hope to have legislation on global warming and energy independence through the committees by July 4th, so that this year, Independence Day is also ‘Energy Independence Day.’

“The science of global warming and its impact is overwhelming and unequivocal. We already have many of the technology and techniques that we need to reduce global warming pollution, and American ingenuity will supply the rest. With this new Select Committee, we demonstrate the priority we are giving to confront this most serious challenge.

“Now is time to act; the future of our country, indeed our entire planet, is at stake,” Pelosi stated.

“Clean energy research is happening right here in Tampa at the University of South Florida’s Clean Energy Research Center and the Center for Urban Transportation Research. Plus, construction of Florida’s first ethanol blending facility will be underway shortly at the Port of Tampa. So our community is poised to benefit from the legislation,” said Castor.

“I am hopeful that our local community leaders also will embrace the energy independence plan.” The U.S. Conference of Mayors announced Energy independence and Environmental protection as its top priority last week. Castor has extended an invitation to Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and other local leaders to start a Tampa Community Energy Initiative to seek local input to promote transportation energy conservation programs in the Tampa Bay area.

As a member of the powerful House Rules Committee and House Armed Services Committee, Castor is particularly focused on national security.

"President Bush is likely to highlight his proposed escalation in Iraq’s civil war tomorrow night as well. While President Bush fails to change course or strategy, he places our national security at greater risk. We must change our mission in Iraq from combat to training, logistics, and force protection, and we must begin the phased redeployment of our forces in the next four to six months that is coupled with an aggressive diplomatic strategy,” said Castor. “Investing in alternative fuels will translate into a safer America and an America that we can all afford. Energy independence is the key to America's national and economic security.”