[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 1992

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT S. WALKER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing legislation requested by 
the administration that will amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 
[EPACT] by extending the Electric and Magnetic Fields Research and 
Public Information Dissemination [RAPID] Program by 1 year.
  The RAPID Program was established under section 2118 of EPACT to 
expand and accelerate the research needed to address public concerns 
that electric and magnetic fields [EMF] might be a human health hazard. 
The program, authorized for a total of $65 million, was to run for 5 
years and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 1997.
  EPACT required the establishment of two advisory committees and 50 
percent cost-sharing from non-Federal sources. The program schedule 
slipped by 1 year due to delays in establishing the advisory committees 
and in receiving appropriated funds. The bill would extend the RAPID 
Program until December 31, 1998, and all interim deadlines by 1 year, 
in order to complete the work mandated by EPACT. No additional funds 
beyond the $65 million authorized in EPACT are required to complete the 
program.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge extension of the RAPID Program by 1 year; 
otherwise we will have wasted 4 years of Federal and utility funding 
and efforts to address the important public policy issue of the health 
effects of EMF.

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