[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 17, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7739-S7741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2002--Resumed

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 2311) making appropriations for energy and 
     water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     2002, and for other purposes.


                           Amendment No. 987

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Michigan [Ms. Stabenow) for herself, Mr. 
     Fitzgerald, Mr. Levin, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Dayton, Mr. Feingold, 
     Mr. Schumer, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Wellstone, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Bayh, 
     and Mr. Voinovich proposes an amendment numbered 987.

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of 
the amendment be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment is as follows:

 (Purpose: To set aside funds to conduct a study on the effects of oil 
                  and gas drilling in the Great Lakes)

       On page 2, line 18, before the period, insert the 
     following: ``, of which such sums as are necessary shall be 
     used by the Secretary of the Army to conduct and submit to 
     Congress a study that examines the known and potential 
     environmental effects of oil and gas drilling activity in the 
     Great Lakes (including effects on the shorelines and water of 
     the Great Lakes): Provided, That during the fiscal year for 
     which this Act makes funds available and during each 
     subsequent fiscal year, no Federal or State permit or lease 
     shall be issued for oil and gas slant, directional, or 
     offshore drilling in or under 1 or more of the Great Lakes 
     (including in or under any river flowing into or out of the 
     lake)''.

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, my amendment, which is a bipartisan 
amendment and which shares the strong support of colleagues from around 
the Great Lakes Basin, seeks to protect the waters of the Great Lakes 
by asking for a study of the impact of any oil and gas drilling in our 
Great Lakes. And it places a moratorium on new drilling until we have 
factual scientific review of the danger of any potential oil and gas 
drilling.
  In case my colleagues are not aware, 30 to 50 new oil and gas 
drilling permits could be issued as soon as the next few weeks for 
extraction under Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. This is moving forward 
only in the waters of the State of Michigan despite the overwhelming 
opposition of almost all local communities that would be affected by 
drilling and by the public at large.
  We don't want to see these oil rigs dotting the shoreline of Lake 
Michigan or any of our beaches around the Great Lakes.
  This amendment says that before anything as serious as this picture 
shows would occur we want to make sure that the Army Corps of Engineers 
does a complete study and analysis, and that we have thoughtful 
consideration of the impact this would create.
  I want to make it clear that this is a local and regional issue. 
Drilling in the

[[Page S7740]]

Great Lakes is not a part of President Bush's energy strategy, nor is 
it a component of any of the major energy bills pending in Congress.
  We are talking about the Great Lakes Basin. We have one of our 
Nation's most precious public natural resources. As you can imagine, 
the citizens of the Great Lakes and all of the States involved are very 
proud and protective of the Great Lakes waters. We have 33 million 
people who rely on the Great Lakes for their drinking water, including 
10 million from Lake Michigan alone.
  Millions of people use the Great Lakes each year to enjoy the 
beaches, great fishing, and boating. We welcome everyone to come and 
enjoy the splendor of the Great Lakes.
  The latest estimate shows that recreational fishing totals $1.5 
billion to Michigan's tourist economy alone. The Great Lakes confines 
also are home to wetlands, dunes, and endangered species and plants, 
including the rare piping plover, Michigan monkey flower, Pitcher's 
thistle, and the dwarf-lake iris. Lake Michigan alone contains over 417 
coastal wetlands, the most of any Great Lake.
  As you can see, we are proud of our lakes. All of the States 
surrounding the Great Lakes have a stake in what happens in these 
waters, as do all of us, because this is 20 percent of the world's 
fresh water. All of us have a stake in making sure we are wise stewards 
of this important waterway.
  Great Lakes drilling would place the tourism economy, the Great Lakes 
ecosystem, and a vital source of drinking water at great risk for a 
small amount of oil.
  Last year, Michigan produced about 2 minute's worth of oil from Great 
Lakes drilling of seven wells that have been in place since 1979. Since 
1979, Michigan's wells have only produced 33 minutes of oil. U.S. 
consumers use 7 billion barrels per year.
  This is not about a large source of oil. We are deeply concerned 
about the risks involved in drilling.
  I cannot stress enough how important tourism is to the Michigan 
economy. Families from all over the country come to visit Mackinaw 
Island and the hundreds and hundreds of miles of beaches up and down 
Michigan's coastline.
  As I know my colleagues feel the same about their borders and their 
coasts around Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New York, and 
Minnesota, all around the Great Lakes we are proud of and depend on 
tourism as a part of our economy.
  As it gets warmer and warmer and more and more humid here, we welcome 
people to come and visit the beautiful Great Lakes' shoreline and the 
wonderful weather that we are now having in Michigan.
  It is estimated, unfortunately, that a single quart of oil--a single 
quart of oil--through a mishap of any kind could foul as much as 2 
million gallons of water. That is our fear.
  If an oil spill happened in one of Michigan's tourist locations, it 
could ruin these local economies forever.
  The Great Lakes are all interconnected and they border eight States, 
as we know, from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
  This means that an oil spill in Lake Michigan could wash up on the 
shores of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. That is why we 
need to have the Federal Government study this issue because it affects 
more than just one State.
  My amendment is a reasonable and prudent approach to the issue of any 
oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes. It asks the Army Corps of 
Engineers to study the safety and environmental impact of drilling 
under the Great Lakes. It places a moratorium on new drilling.
  Once this study is concluded, Congress can review this information 
and decide whether or not the moratorium should continue.
  This is not a partisan issue. I am joining with colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle led by Senator Fitzgerald from Illinois, my 
Republican colleague.
  I am so pleased to have colleagues on both sides of the aisle coming 
together to protect our wonderful natural resource called the Great 
Lakes.
  We have in addition two prominent Republican Governors who have come 
out strongly against drilling in the Great Lakes.
  If I might read their statements, Ohio Governor Bob Taft has stated 
that he cannot see any situation where he would support drilling under 
Lake Erie.
  Governor Taft has ruled out drilling under the lake, saying many 
environmental issues would need to be considered before any drilling 
could be approved.
  That was April 11 of this year.
  Second, the Governor of Wisconsin, Gov. Scott McCullum, also stated 
his opposition to Great Lakes drilling. Governor McCullum's spokeswoman 
stated that he ``doesn't want any oil exploration in the Great Lakes. 
If it's for oil and it's going to interfere with the Great Lakes, then 
he opposes it.''
  That was June 5 of this year.
  This is a bipartisan issue--a joining together of those of us who 
believe very strongly that we have a special responsibility as stewards 
of this wonderful natural resource.
  I encourage my colleagues to join us from both sides of the aisle to 
support this study and this prudent approach by placing a moratorium 
and studying this critical issue before anything moves forward.
  It is important that 20 percent of the world's supply of fresh water 
be protected and that we be responsible in our approach. I am pleased I 
have from around the Great Lakes colleagues who are joining me in this 
important amendment.
  I thank the chairman of the subcommittee for his assistance as well, 
Senator Reid, and colleagues and staff who have been involved in 
putting this critical amendment together.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, 33 million people rely on the Great Lakes 
for drinking water, including 10 million on Lake Michigan alone. 
Millions of people use our Great Lakes for recreation, such as 
swimming, fishing, and boating. It is simply irresponsible to risk 
contamination of this source of drinking water and a large portion of 
our tourism industry and our recreation without studying the potential 
damages of drilling.
  Our pristine Great Lakes' coastlines are home to wetlands, over 400 
of them along Lake Michigan alone, and to some of the world's most 
spectacular sand dunes. They are home to endangered species. Even 
advocates of drilling acknowledge that some damage at the shoreline is 
inevitable from more and more slant drilling. It just is not worth the 
potential harm for the small amount of oil that could be produced in 
the Great Lakes. That is all we are talking about, a very small drop in 
a very large bucket, taking risks that we should not be taking with 
about 20 percent of the world's supply of fresh water.
  The Great Lakes are a shared natural resource. That means that many 
of the States need to work together in order to protect them. What that 
also means is that if we are going to protect them, we must work at a 
broader level than just one State. That is why Governors of many States 
have stated their opposition to drilling of the kind which is being 
proposed.
  One of our highest priorities in the Great Lakes area is to protect 
the ecological health of the Great Lakes and the economic and 
recreational value of our lands, our wetlands, our beaches, and our 
shorelines.
  This amendment would accomplish that goal. I hope this body will 
support the amendment. I believe most of the Senators from the Great 
Lakes States support the amendment. It is an issue which is much 
broader than one State. We should be very leery, and very careful, 
before action is taken without adequate study of slant drilling beneath 
the Great Lakes because of the potential ecological damage that could 
be done, particularly along our shorelines.

  For that reason, I hope this body will give a strong endorsement to 
the amendment of Senator Stabenow. It is the cautious, conservative 
thing to do. It does not jeopardize more than a minute amount of our 
energy supply,

[[Page S7741]]

and it does that for a very good cause--the protection of one of the 
world's truly great natural assets, the source of about 20 percent of 
the world's fresh water.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. DOMENICI. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, we have conferred with the two managers, and 
Senators Stabenow, Levin, and Fitzgerald who have an interest in this 
issue. We are confident we will resolve the issue. We have staff now 
working on preparing the necessary amendment, and we will do that 
subject to the approval of the movers of this amendment. In the 
meantime, we ask that we move off this amendment, that it be set aside, 
and that we move to Senator Hatch, who wants to move to the bankruptcy 
bill, which is now part of the order before the Senate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under a previous order, the Senate will resume 
consideration of the bankruptcy bill----
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, may I have 30 seconds before we do that?
  I want to clear up the record. We have not spoken yet. This idea 
about drilling in the Great Lakes is not part of President Bush's 
energy policy. So we are not here arguing that the President should not 
get what he wants; their policy does not involve the notion of drilling 
in the Great Lakes. We are trying to put something together that would 
be a moratorium that would be satisfactory to the Great Lakes' 
Senators. We should have that ready soon, which we will be willing to 
accept and go to conference and do everything we can to keep it.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois is recognized.
  Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, I thank Senator Domenici and Senator 
Reid and also the sponsor of this amendment, Senator Stabenow. I have 
been pleased to support this amendment, which would place a moratorium 
on drilling for oil in the Great Lakes. As a Senator from a State which 
has a large urban area--namely, the city of Chicago--and the 
surrounding communities that rely on Great Lakes water for drinking 
water, I think this moratorium is well advised.
  Illinois, as a practical matter, doesn't allow any drilling off its 
Lake Michigan coast. The issue has arisen, however, in Senator 
Stabenow's State. I think this amendment has worked out very well. I 
appreciate Senator Domenici's commitment to work to try to hold this 
amendment in conference.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise to thank Senator Domenici and 
Senator Reid for working with us on this amendment to put together 
something that is a reasonable moratorium while a study is being 
conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers. As my friend from Illinois 
mentioned, this is important to all of us in the Great Lakes. We want 
to make sure that wise decisions are made. And for those of us in 
Michigan, we are extremely concerned about any effort to move ahead now 
with drilling in oil and gas reserves.
  I thank my colleagues and I look forward to working with them to make 
sure this language moves all the way through the process and, in fact, 
becomes law.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan is recognized.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I commend Senators Stabenow and Fitzgerald 
and all the cosponsors of this amendment. It is a very reasonable 
outcome that has been agreed to. Their leadership is really important 
in getting this done. We are very grateful for the support of Senator 
Reid and Senator Domenici for this outcome and their commitment to 
fight for the Senate position in conference.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise in support of Senator Stabenow's 
amendment. This amendment simply asks that a study be conducted on the 
environmental effects of drilling in the Great Lakes. And to give that 
study time to be completed, a moratorium be placed on drilling for the 
next 2 years.
  Before we put in jeopardy one of the world's largest bodies of 
freshwater, it is sound public policy that we first have a better 
understanding of the impact drilling would have on the Great Lakes.
  After all, the Great Lakes contain 20 percent of the world's 
freshwater and 95 percent of the freshwater in the United States. The 
Great Lakes contain 6 quadrillion gallons of freshwater--only the polar 
ice caps and Lake Baikal in Siberia contain more.
  Preserving our world's supply of freshwater is becoming increasingly 
important as the population grows. Think of it this way, if you put all 
the water in the world in a 1 gallon container, 1 tablespoon of that 
would represent all the freshwater in the world. And \1/5\ of that 
tablespoon would represent the freshwater from the Great Lakes.
  Lake Michigan alone provides safe drinking water for more than 10 
million people every day. More than 33 million people live in the Great 
Lakes basin.
  In addition to providing vital drinking water, the Great Lakes are a 
source of a thriving tourism industry, and provide ecological diversity 
and habitat for migratory waterfowl and fish.
  Last week, the Senate passed my amendment to the Interior spending 
bill to prevent energy developing in our national monuments. Much like 
our national monuments, the Great Lakes will do little to add to our 
energy independence.
  The 13 directionally drilled wells on the Michigan shore (7 of which 
are still in operation) have produced, since 1979, less than half a 
million barrels of oil. In contrast, the United States consumes more 
than 18 million barrels of oil a day, according to the American 
Petroleum Institute. So all the oil drilled from the Great Lakes in the 
past 20 years has amounted to less than 1 hour's worth of U.S. oil 
consumption.
  As many as 30 new wells have been proposed for oil drilling under 
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Even if we produced 30 times as much oil 
from these new wells as we have from the older ones, it wouldn't supply 
enough crude oil to keep the United States running for one day.
  A serious accident could contaminate Lake Michigan and put at risk 
the drinking water used by millions of people from Illinois, Michigan, 
and Wisconsin. Putting our Nation's largest supply of fresh water at 
risk for less than a day's worth of oil makes no sense.
  Modern technology may reduce the chances for a bad oil spill, but 
there are always uncontrollable factors, as we saw with the Exxon 
Valdez. Who would have thought that just one tanker could do so much 
damage? The Exxon Valdez measured 986 feet long--about the size of 
three football fields. But it spilled 10.8 million gallons of oil. It 
affected about 1,300 miles of shoreline. And it cost about $2.1 billion 
for Exxon to cleanup.
  Proponents of drilling in the Great Lakes focus on the revenues to be 
gained or the oil to be produced. Sensible expansion of crude oil 
production can be a valuable component of a new energy strategy. But we 
should focus also on improved energy efficiency and target production 
in areas where the environmental risks are not as great.
  Let's take care to protect our natural resources, and explore for oil 
and gas in environmentally safe locations. There is no sound reason to 
put the Great Lakes at risk.

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