I recently returned from testifying in front of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming on Capitol Hill. Climate change and our oil addiction are two issues that should concern Americans of all political affiliations. I spoke on behalf of economic incentives for new, American-created technology that is available today (not 3-5 years down the road) that turns your standard hybrid into a plug-in hybrid. It would take less time than installing a CD player and could turn 40 miles per gallon in your Prius to 150 to 225 miles per gallon. (Click here to read my full testimony, or watch the video below) It felt good to dip my toe back into the pool of political discourse. D.C. has always been my favorite American city and the last time I was there I was shooting “The West Wing”. I am glad to report that in my absence neither its romantic architecture nor the earnest passion of its youthful citizenry has changed.
Testimony of Rob Lowe Before The United States House Of Representatives
Select Committee On Energy Independence And Global Warming (Part 1)
Testimony of Rob Lowe Before The United States House Of Representatives
Select Committee On Energy Independence And Global Warming (Part 2)
Don’t get me wrong, my visit wasn’t all a heart swelling, amber-hued credit sequence from “A Few Good Men”. I had flown all night on a packed red-eye from Hawaii, complete with de rigueur screaming baby on the plane; right next to me. After editing my testimony, I worked feverishly to nap, eventually resorting to medicine. Some humble advice: If you’re looking for mental alacrity and focus when testifying before Congress, don’t do it on a head full of Excedrin PM. That said, it all went swimmingly. What I had to say was well received and members of the committee, as well as staffers, commented that it was the best hearing of the year. I was honored to have been invited by Congressman Markey, the committee chair.
Twenty five years ago, when I first made some money, the first investment I ever made was in an alternative energy company. Years later I campaigned for Prop 65, the California Clean Water Initiative. My interest in this area goes back a ways, but in recent years I have been watching from the sidelines. This short trip was a good way for me to get back in the conversation and hopefully draw some attention to one of our country’s most pressing issues. Republican or Democrat, neo-con or vegan, we should all agree that trying to reduce our oil dependence which sometimes finances people who want us dead, while helping our environment, is a good thing. We have many options before us, let’s hope practicality trumps politics and that we soon have a logical, concrete, national energy policy.
