“The United States is at a critical crossroads with energy policy,” Hinchey said. “This country can either continue on a reckless path of oil dependency with prices at the pump heading towards $4 per gallon, or we can move in a new direction of renewable, alternative energy and fuels that will strengthen national security, improve the environment, and create a massive new sector of the American economy. Little by little, through steps such as acquiring a hybrid bus as we have done in Ulster County, we can free this country of its excessive dependence on oil and bring about a brighter future for ourselves.”
Hinchey is the co-author of the Energy for Our Future Act, which is a sweeping, bipartisan energy reform bill. The measure repeals the billions of dollars in subsidies for oil and gas industries given away in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, encourages innovative mass transit solutions, increases conservation and weatherization, requires renewable energy portfolios and increases the corporate fuel economy standard to 40 miles per gallon.
The congressman has been very critical of the Bush administration and the Republican-controlled Congress’ policies which have favored the oil industry over the American public, while doing nothing to move the country off of oil and onto new, innovative alternative energies.
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When President Bush took office in January 2001, the average price of regular gas in New York was $1.43 per gallon. Five and a half years later, the average price is $3.20, a 123 percent increase, and it’s still steadily climbing,” Hinchey said. “The current oil-reliant energy policies of this administration and Congress have failed the American people. Prices will continue to soar unless we completely change course and become a renewable energy country. This must happen. The technology exists so that we can make all of our cars and trucks run on hydrogen or ethanol or other energy sources that are environmentally friendly. As we shift to this new energy policy, we will create millions of new jobs across the country, while removing the need for a major military presence in the Middle East, and saving the world from further environmental decline.”
Using his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Hinchey secured $250,000 in federal funds to pay for the Ulster County hybrid bus, which costs roughly $575,000. The Federal Transit Administration is contributing $217,824 in formula funding for the bus, and the state and country are each contributing $57,596.
Hinchey is the co-author of the Energy for Our Future Act, which is a sweeping, bipartisan energy reform bill. The measure repeals the billions of dollars in subsidies for oil and gas industries given away in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, encourages innovative mass transit solutions, increases conservation and weatherization, requires renewable energy portfolios and increases the corporate fuel economy standard to 40 miles per gallon.
The congressman has been very critical of the Bush administration and the Republican-controlled Congress’ policies which have favored the oil industry over the American public, while doing nothing to move the country off of oil and onto new, innovative alternative energies.
“
When President Bush took office in January 2001, the average price of regular gas in New York was $1.43 per gallon. Five and a half years later, the average price is $3.20, a 123 percent increase, and it’s still steadily climbing,” Hinchey said. “The current oil-reliant energy policies of this administration and Congress have failed the American people. Prices will continue to soar unless we completely change course and become a renewable energy country. This must happen. The technology exists so that we can make all of our cars and trucks run on hydrogen or ethanol or other energy sources that are environmentally friendly. As we shift to this new energy policy, we will create millions of new jobs across the country, while removing the need for a major military presence in the Middle East, and saving the world from further environmental decline.”
Using his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Hinchey secured $250,000 in federal funds to pay for the Ulster County hybrid bus, which costs roughly $575,000. The Federal Transit Administration is contributing $217,824 in formula funding for the bus, and the state and country are each contributing $57,596.
