With gas prices hovering at record levels, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-1st, is using his position as chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development to address this nation’s energy needs, a statement released by his office on Wednesday said.

In his energy and water appropriations bill, Visclosky has boosted funding for investments in biofuels, vehicle technologies, renewable energies, and energy efficiency, the statement said. The bill was approved by the full Appropriations Committee on Wednesday and is slated to be considered by the House next week.

“In Northwest Indiana,” Visclosky said, “the high cost of gas is cutting into the pocketbooks of hard-working families, and nationally we are facing an energy crisis because we are dependent on foreign sources of oil. With this legislation, we are taking immediate steps to invest in new technologies and develop new sources of energy. While these energy investments won’t make gas prices drop overnight, they are part of a comprehensive effort to make us less reliant on imported oil, and to strengthen our national and economic security.”

Earmarks:

•Energy efficiency and renewable energy: $1.9 billion, $638 million more than the President’s request.

•Solar energy: $200 million, $51.7 million more than the President’s request.

•Biofuels: $250 million, $70.7 million more than the President’s request.

•Vehicle technology: $235.4 million, $59.3 million more than the President’s request.

•Energy efficient buildings: $146.5 million, $60 million more than the President’s request.

•Weatherization grants: $245.6 million, $101.6 million more than the President’s request.

•Hydropower: $22 million, not funded under the President’s request.

•Geothermal energy: $44.3 million, $39.3 million more than the President’s request.

•Fossil energy: $708.8 million, $142 million more than the President’s request.

•Office of Science: $4.516 billion, $116.2 billion more than the President’s request.

•Climate change science: $150 million, $20 million more than the President’s request.

•Energy basic research: $208 million, $30 million more than the President’s request.

•Nuclear energy: $639.2 million, $232.5 million more than the President’s request.

Posted 6/7/2007