And New York companies, like Plug Power in Latham, are paving the way by designing fuel cell systems that can help households meet their energy needs. This is a missed opportunity. We should be taking advantage of the cutting edge technologies being developed in our own backyards that provide an affordable, reliable and clean source of energy. In addition, I support making SUVs, pickups and minivans more fuel-efficient. By holding these vehicles to the same standards as cars, we could not only save 1 million barrels of oil a day and reduce our reliance on oil imports by 10 percent, we could also cut CO2 emissions dramatically and save consumers billions of dollars per year.
Energy efficiency represents the second largest source of energy in the United States.
It is also the cleanest and least expensive energy source that exists. Investing in cutting edge energy technology is the key to creating new energy sources and would create new jobs and spur economic development. New energy technology can help us reduce our dependency on foreign oil without sacrificing our environment and our families' health. Rather than going back to the past, we need to be thinking about our future and our children's future by embracing affordable, reliable and clean energy sources. We need a responsible, balanced energy policy that helps consumers, not special interests, and doesn't compromise the health of our families.