Consumer Watchdog – Cheaper, Cleaner Energy - Cheaper, Cleaner Energy - Action 3: Tell Congress: Cleaner & Cheaper Energy Now!

We're encouraged that president-elect Obama and forward-looking members of Congress are saying so clearly that they won't put green energy and green jobs on a back burner while they battle the financial crisis. We agree, as Sen. Obama recently said, that creating green infrastructure and the good jobs of the future are right for both economic stimulus and building long-term independence from oil. But the fight is just begun.

Our energy future must be both cheaper and cleaner. Here are specific policies that have to be on top of the agenda:

• Put federal oversight and trading controls on speculative energy and commodity markets that spiraled out of control in 2008, shoving consumers deeper in debt and slowing the economy. Don't let lower oil prices turn your attention away.

• Give consumers a reason to cheer the transition to green energy, green tech and green jobs, which won't come free. Make sure they get direct benefits from carbon cap and trade proceeds and oil taxes, for instance with green fuel credits, clean car incentives and "fuel rebates" to the working class.

• Create stronger federal oversight of the U.S. refining industry to prevent artificial shorting of markets. Level out the price roller-coaster for gasoline, diesel--and new generations of biofuels. Today's lower prices won't last, and firm regulatory authority can curb the economic damage of violent price swings.

You know, and we know, that it is time for government to stop listening to corporate lobbies. We urge you to stay the course on making the U.S. safer, cleaner and more prosperous by reining in fossil fuels and giving us the alternatives to oil that we so desperately need.