Washington D.C. – Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, joined oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens to declare July 8th as “Energy Independence Day” and mark the one-year anniversary of his launch of the Pickens Plan – a plan to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and encourage the development of alternative energy sources like natural gas and wind. Praising Boone’s efforts to build a new, clean energy economy, Chairman Larson said:

 

“One year ago, T. Boone Pickens launched the Pickens Plan and recruited millions of Americans to join us in working toward real energy independence and a new, clean energy economy. Since that time, we elected a president who made ending our reliance on foreign oil a top priority and passed the groundbreaking American Clean Energy and Security Act to create clean energy jobs and protect our national security interests. 

 

Chairman Larson is an original cosponsor of the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act or NAT GAS Act heralded by Mr. Pickens. The legislation aims to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign energy sources while at the same time lowering transportation fuel costs, greenhouse gas emissions and urban pollution from vehicles.

 

“As long as we are exporting our dollars in exchange for oil and shipping our natural gas technology to other countries, our economy and our national security are at the mercy of foreign nations,” said Larson. “The NAT GAS Act leverages the buying power of the federal government to build demand for natural gas vehicles that will grow our economy and create good, American jobs. I commend Mr. Pickens for his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him to pass this important bill.”