[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            ENERGY CONSERVATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TOM BLILEY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 1998

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, the House now considers S. 417, a bill to 
extend certain conservation and export promotion programs authorized 
under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, the Energy Conservation 
and Production Act, and the National Energy Conservation Policy Act.
  I want to begin by observing this legislation enjoys broad support. 
The gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Schaefer, the Chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Energy and Power of the Committee on Commerce, crafted 
this legislation closely with the minority, and the bill is cosponsored 
by Mr. Hall, the Subcommittee Ranking Member. The bill was approved by 
the Committee on Commerce by voice vote and passed the House under 
suspension on September 28. Not one Member spoke against the bill when 
it was considered by the House. I understand the Department of Energy 
supports the legislation, as do many energy efficiency organizations. I 
commend Mr. Schaefer for working so closely with the minority and the 
Department of Energy on this legislation.
  I support the bill. In particular, I support language crafted by the 
gentlemen from Colorado that expands the use of energy savings 
performance contracts, permitting Federal judicial and legislative 
agencies--in addition to executive branch agencies--to enter into these 
contracts. That will cut the energy bill of the Federal government and 
save taxpayers money. The Government Printing Office alone estimates 
that use of energy savings performance contracts will cut their energy 
costs by $500,000 per year.
  I want to commend the Department for its aggressive support for 
energy savings performance contracts. Recently, the Department 
announced it had awarded contracts to seven energy savings companies to 
begin capital improvements at Federal buildings in 20 States. The 
energy savings performance contracts entered into by DOE to date have 
the potential of cutting the energy bill of the Federal government--and 
saving taxpayers--$3 billion.
  I urge support for S. 417.

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