[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 24, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H1503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H1503]]
                   AMERICA NEEDS A REAL ENERGY POLICY

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome all my colleagues 
back to Washington, D.C. It is obvious that spring is here and that 
summer is just around the corner; and soon no doubt air conditioners 
will be going full force and the energy crisis that has gripped the 
West will only get worse.
  Nevadans are well aware of the energy crisis which has overcome one 
of our neighbors, California. First there were rolling blackouts, now 
massive rate hikes, up to 46 percent for some 10 million homes and 
businesses.
  As Californians work to solve its energy problems, this Congress must 
address the energy crisis looming over our entire Nation. For too long 
the U.S. has operated without a responsible energy policy, and now 
Americans are beginning to pay the price. We need a responsible and 
reliable energy policy. Let us face it, Mr. Speaker, in the 21st 
century we expect the lights to go on and the air conditioning to work 
without fail. We must address the rolling blackouts, rate hikes, and 
consumer aggravation; and we must establish a real energy policy that 
meets the needs of modern America.

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