Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) spoke at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) ENERGY STAR event during the District of Columbia’s annual Auto Show. NADA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that they have joined the Energy Star Challenge and are encouraging their 20,000 automobile member dealerships to reduce energy use at more than 43,000 facilities nationwide by 10 percent or more. If auto dealerships reduced energy use by 10 percent they would save nearly $193 million and prevent over 1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

Congressman Burgess, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who also sits as a member of the Energy Subcommittee, gave the following remarks:

“Today the U.S. imports nearly 60% of its oil and this number is expected to increase to 75% by 2010. Most of this oil comes from the Middle East and politically unstable nations such as Algeria, Nigeria and Venezuela. Reliance on foreign energy sources undermines our economy and our national security.

“For this reason, conservation must be an important part of our strategy to wean ourselves from our dependence on foreign energy. Not only does conservation save energy, it also saves money.

“In McKinney, Texas, just down the road from my district, Wal-Mart has constructed one of its two “green” stores. I toured the facility last January and was impressed with what I saw. Wal-Mart estimates that the conservation measures in place save them approximately $40,000 per month in energy costs. It is a marvelous idea, and the practical application of constructing buildings to be energy efficient is the future.

“My wife and I recently downsized and built a new home in Flower Mound, Texas. We incorporated a number of energy efficient technologies, including smart thermostats, double pane Low E windows, energy efficient ducts, and zoned air conditioning.

“My wife, who is the architect who designed the house for us, actually got a little upset with me when I delayed the project for a few weeks in order to add additional foam insulation in the walls. We've also purchased Energy Star appliances for our kitchen and laundry room.

“As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I was pleased to support the Energy Policy Act, which was signed into law by President Bush in August 2005. The Energy bill included a number of provisions that encourage the use of efficient products and conservation measures. The bill also created incentives for energy efficiency improvements to existing homes and a business tax credit for construction of new energy efficient homes.

“I am also strongly supportive of hybrid and alternative-fueled vehicles. When I am at home, I drive a hybrid vehicle. I've logged a lot of miles across North Texas during the course of that time and there's no telling how much money I've saved on gasoline. Today there are more hybrids on the road than there were a year ago, which was more than there were on the road 5 years ago. The market has recognized this increase in demand and now there are even more models available to choose from – including the unofficial car of Texas - hybrid SUVs.

“Today, the National Automobile Dealers Association has announced its participation in the EPA's Energy Star Challenge, which calls for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings in America by 10% or more. I'm pleased that, in addition to making a greater number of fuel-efficient vehicles available for consumers, the auto-dealers are working to make their facilities more efficient.

“The Energy Star Challenge is truly an example of the power of how a public-private partnership can help to save energy. In 2005, more than 2,500 buildings, representing 480 million square feet, earned the Energy Star for Businesses and public institutions can earn the ENERGY STAR for superior energy and environmental performance, saving their owners an estimated 35 percent less energy -- or $350 million annually, relative to typical buildings. As we have learned today, NADA estimates that if its dealerships meet the ENERGY STAR Challenge, they can save nearly $193 million and prevent over 1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Another, highly successful public-private partnership is Biodiesel Industries' landfill-methane powered biodiesel plant at the Denton City Dump. The plant opened in March 2005 and the fuel produced is used by the City of Denton's entire diesel fleet. In fact, this facility received the Project of the Year Award from the EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program in 2005. Biodiesel Industries takes its commitment to renewable energy even further and has developed technology that allows it to use a variety of feedstock, including recycled restaurant grease, to make fuel.

“I strongly believe that public-private partnerships to reduce energy use, such as these, can help us to reduce our dependence on foreign energy and to clean our environment. I applaud the National Automobile Dealers Association for their commitment to reducing energy consumption in America.”