Tester pushes four-year energy ‘roadmap’ to create jobs, energy independence

Senator introduces bipartisan bill requiring regular review of U.S. energy capabilities

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester wants the United States to develop a coordinated, long-term energy “roadmap” to put Americans to work and move the country toward energy independence.

Tester today introduced a bipartisan bill that requires a review of domestic energy capabilities and future energy needs every four years.

Tester said that developing a roadmap for future U.S. energy needs will reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil and give America a more competitive edge in energy development.

“A clear, long-term plan for our energy future will create jobs and lead our nation toward energy independence,” Tester said. “This bill is an important step in developing that plan, and I hope the Senate passes this common-sense bill as soon as possible.”

Tester’s bill forces the government to consider the current and future resources, technologies and policies needed to meet U.S. energy demands. It is modeled after the Defense Department’s highly regarded four-year review of defense strategy and priorities. 

The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Energy Project supports Tester’s legislation, saying that better energy planning ‘would be of great value to investors, producers, and consumers’ and put the U.S on the ‘right track’ toward addressing long-term energy challenges.

Tester’s bill, the Quadrennial Energy Review Act of 2011, is cosponsored by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N. Mex.).

Tester is a leading advocate for traditional and renewable energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass.

Tester’s bill is available online HERE.

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