MAHONEY CELEBRATES EARTH DAY WITH JUPITER STUDENTS CONGRESSMAN HOLDS ASSEMBLY, PLANTS TREES WITH STUDENTS

MAHONEY CELEBRATES EARTH DAY WITH JUPITER STUDENTS CONGRESSMAN HOLDS ASSEMBLY, PLANTS TREES WITH STUDENTS

The following information was released by the office of Florida Rep. Tim Mahoney:

Today Congressman Tim Mahoney (FL-16) planted trees and held an Earth Day Assembly at Beacon Cove Intermediate Elementary School to talk with students about the environment. The Congressman answered students' questions about being a Congressman as well as shared what Congress is doing to sustain the environment and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.

Congressman Mahoney with Beacon Cove Elementary School Students in Jupiter, FL

"How many of you know how much trash each person creates each day?"

Congressman Mahoney asked the students. "The answer is 4.5 pounds."

"Clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency will reduce harmful emissions that contribute to global warming, bring skyrocketing energy costs back under control, create new, good-paying jobs and put America back on the path toward economic growth and prosperity," said Congressman Mahoney.

"On this Earth Day, we have taken several major steps forward to begin to address the global warming crisis and spur a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous economy for the American people, but also recognize that more must be done to address these challenges of our lifetimes."

Over the past year, Congressman Mahoney has kept his commitment to our environment and our economic livelihood by working with his colleagues to create common sense solutions to the energy crisis:

Bio-Energy

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, he led efforts to promote research and investment in ethanol produced from agricultural waste in the 2007 Farm Bill. This included creating an Ethanol Loan Guarantee Program, authorizing funding for new ethanol technologies and redefining biomass to include citrus pulp and peel, so that Florida's producers are able to play a larger role in the cellulosic ethanol industry.

Energy Independence

Congressman Mahoney was proud to cast his vote in support of the Energy Independence and Security Act. This legislation decreases our dependence on foreign oil by increasing our country's use of renewable energy, raising fuel efficiency standards, increasing the efficiency of buildings and appliances, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

He also supported the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act, which helps Florida develop its emerging biofuels industry. The biofuels industry will create jobs for rural Florida and improve our national security by making America more energy independent.

Everglades Restoration

Congressman Mahoney spearheaded the effort to override the President's veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Congress had not passed a WRDA bill since 2000, and as a result, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) had received zero federal dollars. With his leadership, the new WRDA authorization provides critical funding authorization for environmental projects throughout the country, including $1.37 billion for the Indian River Lagoon-South project for wetlands and estuary restoration and $375 million for the Picayune Strand ecosystem restoration project.

For more information on Congressman Mahoney's work on energy and our environment, please visit: http://www.mahoney.house.gov/