After months of intense debate, Congress passed a significant piece of energy legislation in December 2007. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 takes an important step forward by mandating significant increases in vehicle fuel economy standards for the first time in a generation. Improved fuel economy will lower consumer costs, reduce our dependence on oil and significantly reduce global warming pollution.

Unfortunately, the bill also demonstrates that special interests, including the fossil fuel industry and electrical utilities, still have powerful champions in Congress.

While the bill promotes new conservation and efficiency measures, Congress stripped out a requirement to move to 15% clean electricity by 2020. Extending tax incentives for wind, solar and other clean energy sources did not survive the negotiations, nor did removing tax breaks for the oil and natural gas industries.

While the renewable fuels provisions are a long overdue recognition of the need to move away from fossil fuels, the dramatic increase in corn ethanol production could have serious negative consequences, including increased water pollution from runoff and fertilizer use. Congress rightly said no to subsidies for converting coal to liquid fuels - a process that uses vast amounts of water,sharply increases global warming emissions, and requires dramatic new coal production to turn coal into diesel or gasoline for vehicles.

Polls demonstrate that the American people are way ahead of their elected officials in being ready to move away from outdated means of energy production. We need the vocal support of citizens to overcome opposition from entrenched special interests.

Together we need to involve more of our friends, neighbors, and relatives to complete the unfinished business of the recent energy debate and put us on a path beyond reliance on fossil fuels. Please contact your state office and subscribe to our e-newsletter for updates.