ROSSLYN, Va., -- NEMA, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, today joined Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Senators Kay Hutchison (R-TX), Larry Craig (R-ID), Craig Thomas (R-WY), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) at a press conference calling for the U.S. Senate to take swift action on comprehensive energy policy legislation, S.14. The measure is currently being debated in the Senate. NEMA President Malcolm O'Hagan and Vice President for Government Affairs Timothy Feldman participated in the press conference in the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol, along with other interested organizations in the Alliance for Energy and Economic Growth (AEEG), a coalition representing energy consumers and producers. NEMA is a leading member of the energy coalition with more than 1,400 members.
"Our nation needs a comprehensive energy bill because our current energy crunch is increasing energy costs for NEMA manufacturers and costing American jobs," said O'Hagan. "This bill builds on earlier efforts to improve energy conservation and efficiency. However, we must increase the availability and affordability of the country's energy supply.
"The Senate has made remarkable progress in crafting a balanced energy strategy that helps meet our nation's energy needs. With significant input from NEMA manufacturers, the Energy Policy Act of 2003 updates our nation's energy policies to reflect the energy needs of consumers and the modern technologies and practices available to energy suppliers and distributors.
There is strong bipartisan support for a vast majority of the supply, infrastructure, and conservation and efficiency measures in this important legislation."
Feldman said "S.14 is a balanced approach to energy policy that will help ensure affordable and reliable energy supplies, enhance our energy infrastructure, encourage energy efficiency, and provide a framework for a long-term solution to the natural gas situation. We are pleased to continue working with the leadership of both parties, and with the chairman and ranking member of the Energy Committee, to finish the task started nearly three years ago and pass this energy bill."
NEMA is a leading trade association in the United States representing the interests of electroindustry manufacturers.
