[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 1, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H4993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN SUPPORT OF THE DEMOCRATIC ENERGY PLAN

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership energy bill is 
nothing more than a grab bag of goodies for the big special interests 
in the energy industry.
  For the first time, it would allow drilling for oil in the pristine 
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, while providing numerous kickbacks for 
the oil and gas industry, up to $34 billion in tax credits and 
royalties to the industry.
  The Bush administration and the House leadership will argue that the 
revised energy plan is balanced, that it includes conservation 
measures, but the devil is in the details. Their plan provides a fig 
leaf towards conservation measures and investments in research and 
development of renewables. It provides billions in tax provisions 
without any way to pay for them. Instead of finding the offsets, their 
plan irresponsibly crosses the threshold into the Medicare trust funds.
  In stark contrast is the Democratic plan. It is a balanced approach, 
talking about both supply and demand. It invests in renewable sources 
of energy, utilizes new technology, bolsters production without harming 
the environment and provides pro-consumer, fiscally responsible tax 
incentives for the use of energy-efficient vehicles and appliances. 
This is the kind of long-term policy we need.

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