H.R. 6 (110th): Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 Essays

Introduction Climate change has garnered much attention over the past decade.   Similarly, the cost of energy has become a growing debate.   Ultimately, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was introduced in response to the growing concerns with climate change as well as the increasing amount of greenhouse gas emissions coupled with increased oil price. These factors brought these issues to the general public’s attention and raised questions regarding the United States’ own energy efficiency and reliance on foreign energy. After the United States declined to ratify the Kyoto protocol, which would have helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we fell behind in standards for clean energy and energy independence through clean alternatives (Meade, 2008). The Energy Independence and Security Act was signed into law on December 19th, 2007 by President Bush (United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2013). The law was meant to promote energy independence within the United States, increase U.S. energy security, increase domestic production of clean renewable fuels, protect consumers, increase energy efficiency and promote research for greenhouse gas capture and storage (EPA, 2010). This bill was a part of the Democratic Party's 100 hour Plan, which was a plan   enacted by Speaker Nancy Pelosi after the Democratic Party took control of the Congress in the 2006 midterm elections (Pelosi, 2006). The Energy Independence and Security Act was originally called the Clean Energy Act of 2007 and was introduced to the House of Representatives by Nick Rahall from West Virginia (Sissine, 2007). Interestingly, Rahall was one of four democrats to oppose the final bill. When the bill was introduced to the Senate it was part ... ...S Report RL33831). Retrieved from website 4/21/2013: http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/104292.pdf Strassel, Kimberly "Some Inconvenient Truths", The Wall Street Journal, October 6, 2007. The Washington Post. (2006) President Bush's State of the Union Address. Politics. Retrieved April 18, 2013 from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2006/01/31/AR2006013101468.html US Department of Energy. Federal Energy Management Program (2010). Accessed April 21, 2013. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/sustainabilitycrosswalk.pdf US Department of Energy. Alternative Fuels Data Center (2010). Accessed April 21, 2013. http://www.afdc.energy.gov/laws/eisa. US Department of Transportation (2011, April) Summary of Fuel Economy Performance. Accessed May 8, 2013 From: http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/rulemaking/pdf/cafe/2011_Summary_Report.pdf