Overview

I believe that Congress, the Administration, and the American people need to show leadership and dedication to moving our nation towards the expansion of and support for renewable energy sources that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil. To curb our dependence, I strongly believe that the United States must reduce its consumption of fossil fuels and move towards an energy future in which solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable sources produce a greater percentage of our nation's energy. However, it is clear that our transportation system will continue to use fossil fuels for the near future. Cleaner and cheaper than petroleum, I believe that natural gas should be a viable fueling option for American consumers and support the transition from petroleum to natural gas, as well as related development of fuel technology.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to have had the opportunity to promote important investments in our country's energy supply. Which includes the creation and implementation of a comprehensive energy strategy that will strengthen our nation and provide its citizens with policies that create wealth, improve health, and protect our environment.

Liquefied Natural Gas

In northeast Ohio, we have made great advancements in both small and large manufactures by creating new jobs. With lower gas prices, we will be able to help build upon this revival. Unfortunately, we still have too many people without good paying jobs and expanding the export market for natural gas gives us the opportunity to provide more employment. It is estimated that for every $1 billion in exports, up to 5,000 new jobs would be created (Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, which cites the U.S. International Trade Administration). Selling LNG to foreign nations has the potential for enormous effects, not only for the northeast Ohio economy, but all around the country. While I realize the concerns regarding the price of natural gas for American consumers, I am confident that increased production will maintain competitive prices for the American market. That is why I have cosponsored several pieces of legislation that would help expedite the approval process for liquefied natural gas exports, including the Export American Natural Gas Act, the American Job Creation and Strategic Alliances LNG Act, and the LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act.

Further, I have introduced legislation to get greener trucks onto our roads. Climate change is real, and we are seeing its effects firsthand. Natural-gas fueled trucks will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease our dependence on foreign oil and move us eventually towards a future that runs on clean energy. This legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create a partial exclusion for alternative fuel trucks from the excise tax imposed on heavy-duty trucks sold at retail. The tax code currently imposes a 12 percent Federal Excise Tax (FET) on the sale of heavyduty trucks. Alternative fuel trucks, like natural gas vehicles (NGV), include new technology and are sold in limited quantities, and, therefore have a much higher first cost or incremental cost than conventional trucks. The 12 percent tax rate is assessed not only on the base cost of the truck but also on the incremental cost, acting as a penalty by unnecessarily adding to the already higher cost of these vehicles.