SPRINGFIELD
- With a projected 71 percent increase in natural gas heating costs
this winter and gasoline at more than $2.00 per gallon, Illinois PIRG
called on state lawmakers to take actions now that will help address
the growing energy cost burden all Illinoisans will face this winter.
“With energy costs hitting consumers hard this year as a consequence of
over-reliance on oil and gas imports, it’s time for an
all-hands-on-deck effort to adopt energy solutions that keep our energy
dollars in state, improving our own economy,” said Rebecca Stanfield,
Illinois PIRG’s State Director. “The good news is there are policies
and programs that have worked in other states and can make a difference
here.”
The
call to action was backed with the release of an Illinois PIRG policy
paper that proposed 7 specific recommendations that the State of
Illinois can take to help both in the short term with high heating
bills, and in the long term to curb the growing dependence on foreign
oil.
“There
is still time to help consumers save money this year,” said Stanfield.
“But now is the time to adopt the solutions that will prevent similar
energy cost crises next year and beyond,” said Stanfield.
Illinois PIRG recommended that the legislature and administration work together to:
1.
Provide tools as quickly as possible for homeowners and businesses to
lower their energy bills this winter, including both educational
resources and tax incentives;
2. Join Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota in the Midwest Natural Gas Initiative;
3. Set efficiency standards for new appliances;
4. Set new efficiency codes for residential buildings;
5. Develop the state’s renewable energy potential by making the Governor’s Sustainable Energy Plan a reality;
6. Offer revenue-neutral sales tax incentives to encourage purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles; and
7. Set efficiency standards for replacement tires to help consumers improve their automobile’s fuel efficiency.
Congress
and the Bush Administration have failed to act on a federal energy plan
that will help lower the cost of gas or promote sustainable energy
solutions. “To address this ongoing crisis, Illinois can play a
critical role in filling the leadership vacuum left by those in
Washington, D.C.,” said Stanfield.
