Today, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) introduced the NAT GAS Act of 2011 to encourage the use of domestic natural gas to fuel vehicles. The legislation is the Senate’s version of the H.R. 1380, which has broad bi-partisan support in the House with 181 co-sponsors.
Commenting on the introduction of the Senate Bill, T. Boone Pickens offered the following statement:
“It is so encouraging to see Republicans and Democrats come together to put America first. I salute Senators Menendez, Burr, Chambliss and Majority Leader Reid for recognizing that we need a fiscally responsible energy policy that cuts dependence on foreign oil while creating American jobs, lifting our economy, enhancing our national security, and protecting our environment.
“This is a great opportunity to end four decades of unfulfilled promises by our elected leaders to end America’s dependence on foreign oil. America’s energy future is the key to our economic viability and creating jobs now. These should not be partisan issues, which is why I expect this Senate Bill will experience such broad support from both sides of the aisle.
“Nothing in America has such a thoroughly transformative economic potential as domestic natural gas. Simply by increasing the use of domestic natural gas in vehicles, we can get on our own resources, immediately create 400,000 good jobs, redirect billions of dollars of foreign oil money back into the hands of American businesses, and cut our dependence on OPEC by half.
“If past experience is any indication, I have no doubt that special interests that only care about themselves will attempt to create false arguments and false choices to stop this legislation. I sincerely urge the Senate to recognize those voices for what they are – obstacles of change and endorsers of the status quo, which is not working.
“On behalf of the American people, I ask the Senate to do what is unquestionably in America’s best interest: seize this unique and powerful opportunity and pass this bill.”