Today, Congressman Conaway’s (R-TX) Fuel Consumption Education Act unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Conaway, a former small business executive in the oil and natural gas industry, introduced the legislation that establishes a fuel conservation public-education campaign aimed at lowering the rising demand for gasoline in the short term.
“The high price of gasoline is taking a severe toll on the pocketbooks of all Americans,” said Conaway. “This awareness campaign will be aimed at reducing the overall demand for gasoline by informing drivers of how they can cut down on fuel consumption. The problem of high gas prices requires both long-term and short-term solutions. This campaign is one way we can help tackle the problem in the short term.”
The Fuel Consumption Education Act will create a public-private partnership between the Department of Energy and industry groups, including the automotive, gasoline refining, and oil sectors to create a public education campaign that provides information to U.S. drivers about IMMEDIATE measures that may be taken to conserve fuel. The bill authorizes $13 million of funds already appropriated to the Department of Energy. This public information campaign will reach a wide audience and include television, print, and internet advertising.
In January 2001, rapidly increasing energy demand led to rolling blackouts in California. As part of an effort to combat rising energy costs, a public-private conservation campaign was undertaken to help reduce demand. Over the course of the year, Californians reduced peak demand by 89 percent and total consumption by 6.7 percent, saving millions of dollars.
Conaway went on to say, “I am pleased that my colleagues recognize the importance of this legislation. It is essential that the public realize that there is something they can do today to combat high gas prices and keep money in their pockets. We will now turn our attention to the Senate and try to get this to the President’s desk this year.”
This is the first bill introduced by Congressman Conaway that has passed the House of Representatives.
