[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H10909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXTENDING CERTAIN PROGRAMS UNDER ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4083) to extend certain programs under the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act through September 30, 1997.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4083

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT AMENDMENTS.

       The Energy Policy and Conservation Act is amended--
       (1) by amending section 166 (42 U.S.C. 6246) to read as 
     follows:


                   ``authorization of appropriations

       ``Sec. 166. There are authorized to be appropriated for 
     fiscal year 1997 such sums as may be necessary to implement 
     this part.'';
       (2) in section 181 (42 U.S.C. 6251) by striking ``June 30, 
     1996'' both places it appears and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``September 30, 1997'';
       (3) by adding at the end of section 256(h) (42 U.S.C. 
     6276(h)) ``There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal 
     year 1997 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this 
     part.''; and
       (4) in section 281 (42 U.S.C. 6285) by striking ``June 30, 
     1996'' both places it appears and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``September 30, 1997'';

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado [Mr. Schaefer] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Manton] 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Schaefer].
  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. SCHAEFER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, this bill reauthorizes certain provisions 
contained in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act for 1 fiscal year. 
Specifically, this bill assures that if there is an energy emergency 
when Congress adjourns, the President's authority to drawdown the 
strategic petroleum reserve and the ability of U.S. oil companies to 
participate in the International Energy Agreement without violating 
antitrust laws is preserved.
  The Commerce Committee believes annual reauthorization of these 
provisions is appropriate as long as the reserve continues to be looked 
to as a budget balancing tool. For the past 2 years, I have been 
greatly troubled by the trend of selling oil from the strategic 
petroleum reserve to meet budgetary goals. When the first sale was 
authorized, over the objections of the Commerce Committee, we were told 
it would be a one time sale. Less than 1 year later a second, even 
larger sale was authorized. And a third sale is currently being 
considered.
  The reserve was not intended to be used in such a manner and is not 
an effective tool for balancing the budget. The reserve is our first 
line of defense in an energy emergency. This energy security insurance 
policy for which we have paid over $200 billion should not be 
squandered carelessly to meet short-term budgetary objectives. I urge 
my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee as they prepare a 
continuing resolution to resist the temptation to use this strategic 
oil reserve which is so vital to our national security as a cash 
reserve.
  Finally, I believe these provisions of EPCA are too important for us 
to adjourn without reauthorizing them. While an energy emergency which 
would require the reserve to be drawndown while we are adjourned is 
unlikely, it is not impossible. Consider the implications on our energy 
security of the recent terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia and the Iraqi 
aggressions into the no-fly zones. I believe this Nation must have the 
ability to use all its tools to deal with an energy emergency so I urge 
my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here to support H.R. 4083, which 
reauthorizes the Energy Policy and Conservation Act for 1 year. This 
bill has been handled in a bipartisan manner, and was reported from the 
Commerce Committee on a voice vote. I know of no objection to it from 
this side of the aisle.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the reauthorization of EPCA because it will 
ensure that the United States and industry are able to fulfill their 
respective duties in any oil-related emergency. Recent events in the 
Middle East have underscored, once again, how quickly circumstances can 
change, and the need for the United States to be self-sufficient during 
periods of instability.
  I want to thank Chairman Bliley and Chairman Schaefer for bringing 
this important bill to the House floor. The Democrats on the Commerce 
Committee strongly support their efforts to ensure that the strategic 
petroleum reserve is used for its intended purpose and not, as some 
have attempted, sold off for deficit reduction. EPCA is important to 
our country's economic and energy security, and I am pleased to support 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I 
just want to say that I appreciate the gentleman from New York [Mr. 
Manton] and also the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Pallone], my 
ranking member, and the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Dingell] for 
moving this very, very rapidly as we tail into the end of our session, 
because it is very important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Schaefer] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4083.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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