When it comes to energy, the contrast is clear: Democrats are fighting for a bill that would create up to 700,000 new jobs, hold BP accountable and protect the air we breathe and the water we drink – while Republicans are trying to block the creation of new jobs and put taxpayers on the hook for paying for the cost of BP’s spill. 

The Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act would create up to 700,000 jobs, hold BP accountable for paying to clean up the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, reduce our dependence on oil by making investments in vehicles that run on electricity and natural gas, and protect the environment by investing in the Land and Water Conservation Fund. It would also protect taxpayers from footing the bill for any future spills by increasing the amount that oil companies are required to pay into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. 

Create 168,000 Jobs And Save Millions of Consumers Up to $500 Annually. The bill would provide $5 billion in incentives for the Home Star program which will offer point of sale rebates to encourage homeowners to make energy efficiency upgrades. An independent group estimated that the bill will create at least 168,000 jobs over the next two years. These programs would save 3 million American families $200 to $500 on their residential energy and water bills annually. 

Hold BP Accountable.The bill would ensure that: BP pays for the damage they have inflicted; oil companies invest in technologies that help to prevent and respond to domestic oil spills; the Federal government address deficiencies in its response to catastrophic oil spills in deepwater; structural reforms are made at the Department of Interior to address mismanagement and historical corruption issues; and antiquated maritime and admiralty laws are corrected.

 Reduce Our Dependence On Oil And Create Up To 550,000 Jobs.The bill includes provisions that would encourage the retrofit of the nation’s heavy vehicle fleet to use natural gas and the electrification of the nation’s transportation sector. According to estimates by the natural gas industry, this will create 100,000 direct jobs and 450,000 indirect jobs. 

Protect the Environment. The bill would provide full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund over the next five fiscal years to ensure land and water is protected long into the future — even from the effects of climate change. 

Protect Taxpayers From Any Future Spills. The bill would lift the cap on liability for economic damages caused by an oil spill and increase the amount that oil companies are required to pay into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to 45 cents per barrel.