During November, more Members of Congress signed on as co-sponsors for the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2009 (NAT GAS Act; HR 1835). With 127 bi-partisan co-sponsors (68 Democrats and 59 Republicans), the NAT GAS Act continues to be a cost-effective way to reduce our reliance on foreign oil. While health care has dominated most conversations on the Hill recently, the drumbeat continues for support for HR 1835.  Americans are still concerned about rising energy prices.

The supporters of HR 1835 range in representation from New Mexico to Connecticut, and Texas to North Dakota. The new co-sponsors bring with them further variety of regional and economic backgrounds among their constituents. Americans understand that we need this bill soon, and they are encouraging their Members to sign on as co-sponsors.  The Senate NAT GAS Act, S. 1408, also enjoys bi-partisan support from Senators across the nation.

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), one of the twelve newest co-sponsors to voice his support of the HR 1835 this month, said: 

"I have always been a strong proponent of using clean alternative fuels, including natural gas, as a part of any comprehensive plan to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil," Simpson said in his E-Newsletter. "H.R. 1835 gives us the tools to move our transportation system away from the dangerous dependence on foreign oil and onto cleaner, domestically-produced energy sources."

"The U.S. has an abundant supply of natural gas. While we currently import nearly 70 percent of our oil, most of which is used for transportation, 98 percent of our natural gas comes from domestic sources. I strongly believe that H.R. 1835 is an important step in achieving energy independence for our nation.”

Rep. Jim Marshall (D-GA), a recent H.R. 1835 co-sponsor, noted the importance of the role of natural gas in reducing our nation’s reliance on foreign oil in a recent Washington Post Editorial, saying:

“Simply adopting a plausible U.S. strategic plan for energy independence would have a positive impact on world oil prices. And absent a significant supply disruption, oil's economic stranglehold would be eliminated if domestic demand stayed flat or grew only slightly while U.S. consumption of alternatives to oil, including natural gas, increased by a few percentage points a year. With prompt federal action, we could quickly achieve these demand and growth rates and greatly reduce oil's pressure on prices.”