[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1541-S1542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            A NATIONAL ENERGY STRATEGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I am aware that some Senators have come to 
this floor in recent weeks to talk about rapidly increasing petroleum 
prices, and other Senators have raised serious concerns about home 
heating oil prices in the Northeast this winter. I also recall that 
certain regions of this country were threatened by electricity 
brownouts last summer, to say nothing of the difficulties our 
beleaguered farmers may face this year and to say nothing at this 
moment of what they faced last year. All of these issues raise serious 
concerns that affect our everyday lives in every season and region of 
the country. The crisis that we have all been witnessing not only 
forces us to question our dependence on foreign oil, but, more 
importantly, to confront the crying need for a serious domestic energy 
strategy.
  I remember very well, because I was here, the energy problems this 
country experienced in the 1970's. During that decade, we were forced 
to confront our energy demands and our vulnerability to the whims of 
foreign powers. A quarter century later, this nation is still facing 
that same vulnerability. While some circumstances may have changed, the 
United States is now importing more than half of its oil from overseas. 
This fact, in addition to the potential for volatile market swings, is 
very unsettling to me. The United States should not be held hostage to 
the capricious decisions of other nations--friend or foe. We should not 
have to go, hat in hand, to other nations to beg them to produce more 
oil so that our supply and prices in the United States do not plummet 
to levels that stifle the economy. We should not have to think of 
sending in the troops every time some regional difficulty arises in the 
Middle East.
  Our ultimate national interest lies with concerns that are much 
larger than the current price hikes in gasoline, diesel, home heating 
oil, or electricity. Though I am certain that, in time, this petroleum 
crisis will pass as most crises do, I fear that, as a nation, we will 
sink back into somnolence, asleep at the wheel so to speak. The alarm 
is ringing loudly today, and it is time to wake up and address the 
underlying issue--our lack of a serious, comprehensive national energy 
strategy. That is the underlying issue. Our policies must take into 
account our energy independence and U.S. energy security. We need a 
policy that buffers our economy and our people from decisions made by 
foreign suppliers. It is past time to focus on increased research and 
development into advanced technologies, energy efficiency and 
conservation measures, and market incentives for these advanced 
technologies and conservation measures. Obviously we must also be 
sensitive to the environment. Clean air and clean water matter; the 
responsible use of our land matters; and the potential impact caused by 
the growth of greenhouse gases matters. We should aggressively 
investigate promising carbon sequestration technologies. In fact, a 
comprehensive national energy strategy must also incorporate a strong 
environmental strategy. I believe that we can, and that we should 
undertake this challenge. We ought to do it now.
  The United States is vast, and our resources are vast. We are a 
fortunate nation in that regard. The Creator has blessed us. Our 
economy is booming and with that boom comes an increased appetite for 
energy. We must consider how much we consume and how efficiently we use 
these resources. We possess energy reserves of oil and natural gas, as 
well as wind, solar, hydro, fuel cell, geothermal, and nuclear power. 
And, some of our most abundant energy sources are the coal reserves 
underlying many areas of the United States. We will need all of these 
resources if we are ever to achieve the goal of stable energy 
independence. It is time to examine the tough questions and to explore 
the opportunities before us to increase our energy independence.

  This is a daunting task, and its success is dependent on our active 
support of a focused research and development program. I serve as the 
Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. I am proud to 
have been able to provide funding for a range of critical research and 
development programs for energy efficiency. I have been on that 
committee 41 years; now going on 42 years. I have been on that 
Appropriations Committee longer than any other Senator has ever served 
on it. During that time, I have been conscious of the need for more 
energy research and the need for a comprehensive energy strategy. So I 
have provided funding for a range of critical research and development 
programs for energy efficiency. One such research and development 
effort that I am especially proud of is the Clean Coal Technology 
Program. I believe that it was, and continues to be, a commonsense, 
forward thinking program.

  In 1985, I was able to provide the initial $750 million to create the 
Department of Energy's Clean Coal Technology Program. It has been a 
very successful public-private partnership. Originally designed to 
address acid rain reduction, the Clean Coal Technology Program is now 
addressing a broader range of emission issues, including the reduction 
of greenhouse gases.
  Over the years, more than $2.4 billion in federal funding has moved 
the clean coal program forward. I have supported every dollar that has 
been utilized in this way. To date, 40 projects have been approved, 
with 32 either completed or scheduled to be completed by the end of 
2001. But there is a disturbing trend taking shape at the Federal 
level. These funds are being threatened by deferrals and rescissions by 
this Administration. I have had to try to fight off these deferrals and 
rescissions that are being recommended by this administration. A 
critical research and development program that supports more efficient 
use of one of our most abundant domestic fuel sources--coal--must not 
be eviscerated if we are serious about advancing our energy security 
goal. We must continue to be ready in the event of a crisis. We have 
seen these crises occur before. Yet here we are with an administration 
that wants to rescind, wants to defer, moneys that are to be spent in 
the clean coal technology program.

  The utter folly of such an approach is self-evident. Here we have 
been caught without a cushion, so we were not prepared for the crisis 
the country is now in. We should have been prepared. Coal cannot be 
taken off the list of domestic energy sources if we are ever to get out 
of the posture of begging, begging, begging OPEC for mercy.
  I come from a coal State. Coal reserves are plentiful--not so 
plentiful as they once were in my State, but they are plentiful in this 
country. Coal supplies 56 percent of all electricity in this country. 
See the lights up here. Electricity is what makes those lights burn. 
What is behind that electricity? Coal, C-O-A-L. It keeps the lights 
burning in the hospitals, in the schools, in the Federal buildings, in 
the White House.
  Coal, as I say, supplies 56 percent of all electricity in this 
country--56 percent.
  Coal has literally fueled the American economy. It will continue to 
be an important source of energy for the foreseeable future--and it 
must continue to be. I know that there are concerns about coal mining 
and coal use.

[[Page S1542]]

Some past practices would, quite rightly, not be condoned today. But we 
are capable, as a nation, of doing better, and we are doing more by 
improving these practices while also supplying the electricity that 
operates the wheels of industry and that lightens the offices so we can 
do our work, supplying an important fuel that lights our homes and 
businesses.
  For years, not just recently, I have promoted clean coal and other 
clean energy technologies through research and development. But many of 
these newer, cleaner technologies are more costly to bring to the 
market. We also need to address the gap between the research and 
development of these promising technologies and their widespread 
deployment in the marketplace. It is imperative that we fill that gap.
  For this reason, I have worked with Minority Leader Daschle and other 
Members of this body to develop a targeted package of tax incentives to 
encourage the demonstration and deployment of many energy efficient 
technologies. I worked with these Members for over a year and a half to 
craft S. 1833, the Energy Security Tax Act of 1999. If Senators have 
concerns about developing greater energy independence and encouraging 
cleaner, more efficient technologies, then I urge them to take a 
serious look at this legislation. Clean coal technologies are included 
in this package, as are a broad range of incentives for other fuels, 
including coal mine methane, renewables, and oil and gas. Additionally, 
we have included incentives for energy conservation technologies and 
energy efficient technologies and practices in the transportation, 
steel, and agriculture sectors. I say to my colleagues, if you want to 
help develop a strategy for an energy-independent country, then work to 
get this bill passed. It is the right thing for our economy, for the 
environment, for trade, and for jobs. It is a step toward a 
comprehensive national policy to promote energy efficiency, energy 
security, and energy independence.
  If we want to have a national energy strategy, we must sit down 
together and bring all of our interests and concerns to the table. We 
must take a multi-pronged approach that looks at the whole range of 
fuels, the whole kit and caboodle, at more efficient energy 
technologies and conservation practices, and at the participation of a 
broad spectrum of industries and interested parties. I do not want the 
United States to be at the mercy of rogue nations. I do not want our 
economy to tremble each time OPEC flexes its muscle. I want to ensure 
that we remain economically competitive. An efficient, stable supply of 
energy is key. I believe that the challenges of this new century can be 
met, lighting the way for a new energy strategy that recognizes the 
importance of economic development and environmental protection at the 
same time.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, could the order standing on the floor 
at this time be indicated.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senator from 
Alaska or his designee is recognized to speak for up to 60 minutes.

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