Army,
I’m sure you’re getting a lot of emails and receiving a lot of phone calls right now with the upcoming election. As a result, you’re probably looking forward to the day after Election Day. Well so am I. And here’s why.
Throughout the year, legislation in support of using natural gas to replace OPEC oil has been proposed by Senators in both parties—most recently another bill to accomplish that goal was filed by Senate Majority Leader Reid for consideration in mid-November when Congress returns for a brief legislative session. This bill represents a potentially important step to address our ever-escalating dependence on foreign oil as well as to help reduce our trade deficit, generate new jobs, reduce pollution and remove a critical national security threat.
This bill contains many elements of the original NAT GAS Act (H.R. 1835 and S. 1408) that we’ve been advocating for more than a year and enjoys deep, bipartisan support. It provides for incentives for purchase of natural gas vehicles; grants for the development of NGV infrastructure; as well as incentives for electric vehicles.
Many Members of Congress from both political parties have supported policies to get off OPEC oil and onto American natural gas over the past two years. They’ve been cosponsors of the NAT GAS Act or integrated elements of its policies into other pieces of legislation. They know that our continued reliance on foreign oil presents a national and economic security issue for our nation and continue to work together to get this important legislative process over the finish line.
We can get this done this year if Congress finishes what it started when it returns in November. We can’t afford to wait any longer—every day we don’t act is another $1 billion spent importing oil from overseas.
I’ll be back after the election to ask you to take action—because I think our time is coming.
-Boone