[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BUSH ENERGY PLAN

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2001

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, President Bush's energy plan fails on 
several counts, but I am particularly concerned about the fact that it 
completely ignores the immediate need for a short-term response to the 
energy crisis that is negatively impacting California.
  Businesses are closing, Mr. Speaker, and people are losing their 
livelihoods and their ability to provide for their families.
  For example, L.A. Dye & Print Works Incorporated, one of southern 
California's largest textile firms employing 700 people, closed its 
doors at the end of April.
  Their natural gas costs had soared from about $120,000 per month to 
over $600,000 per month--that's 5 times higher than their costs at the 
start of 2000.
  Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that this crisis is not just a 
California crisis, but one that is spilling over to other western 
states and to states across this nation.
  In spite of this reality, pleas to the Bush Administration and to the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to implement temporary cost-based 
pricing, which would stabilize energy prices while still allowing 
generators and marketers to make a healthy profit, have fallen on deaf 
ears.
  At a time when forecasts predict that prices may hit $3 per gallon in 
California and New York this summer, the Administration's only solution 
is to drill for oil in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 
This approach ignores the fact that drilling in Alaska won't produce a 
barrel of oil for a decade, when Americans need relief now.
  Mr. Speaker, the Administration's plan is also short sighted in that 
it fails to adequately support other important energy initiatives that 
would provide our nation with a well-balanced and comprehensive energy 
plan. This is demonstrated by the Administration's 27% cut in energy 
efficiency programs and 26% cut in renewable energy programs.
  Americans want the President to stop the power generators from 
raiding their pockets and to stop catering to his friends in the oil 
industry. Americans need the President to put together a national 
energy policy plan that addresses both the short- and long-term needs 
for everyone in this country.
  Americans need a plan like the Democratic energy plan, which provides 
assistance for business and consumers without compromising our nation's 
fundamental values.

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