[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 83 (Thursday, June 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             THE ``CONSUMER ENERGY COMMISSION ACT OF 2001''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 14, 2001

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce a House 
companion bill to S. 900, the ``Consumer Energy Commission Act of 
2001,'' which was introduced on May 16, 2001, by Senator Richard J. 
Durbin of Illinois.
  Over the past several years, the nation has been hit with one energy 
crisis after another. In the midst of all but one of those crises, 
energy consumers have heard from the ``expert'' after ``expert'' that 
the marketplace is to blame.
  While consumers, industry representatives, and public officials may 
disagree over whether the crisis of the day has more to do with market 
forces than with gouging, but ultimately, we can all agree that this 
country needs a comprehensive energy policy. Clearly, the 
Administration should be commended for its attempt at articulating such 
a strategy. However, the report reflects almost exclusively, the 
interests and concerns of the energy industry.
  Unfortunately, today's energy market is controlled by relatively few 
huge corporations, which do not always have the best interests of the 
public at heart. Many consumers are not convinced that making more 
resources available to these companies will magically fix the market. 
Moreover, consumers are not convinced that deregulation, and 
restructuring, without strict policing of the industry, will create 
enough competition to alleviate the stranglehold that those companies 
have over the industry, and indeed the pockets of energy consumers.
  It is in response to this constant and pervasive threat of market 
abuse and manipulation, that I introduce the ``Consumer Energy 
Commission Act of 2001.'' The Act would create the Consumer Energy 
Commission, (CEC), which would in turn analyze the energy market from 
the consumer's perspective and give recommendations on how to protect 
the public from opportunistic, and abusive behavior in the market by 
energy companies. This bipartisan body would consist of 11 members from 
consumer groups as well, as energy experts from the industry and 
federal government.
  While there may be disagreement over what caused, and what steps 
should be taken to solve our current national energy dilemma, it cannot 
be disputed that consumers are paying astronomical prices for energy, 
while large companies are yielding even more astronomical profits. With 
this thought in mind, I am proud to introduce the ``Consumer Energy 
Commission Act of 2001,'' which will stand as an important step in 
assisting those who have suffered most during the current series of 
regional and national energy crises--the hard-working consumer.

                          ____________________