[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1566-E1567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ENERGY ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill. (H.R. 4) to 
     enhance energy conservation, research and development and to 
     provide for security and diversity in the energy supply for 
     the American people, and for other purposes.

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 4, 
Securing America's Future Energy Act.
  First, let me commend President Bush for his leadership and the 
committees in the House who have worked on this most important national 
priority.
  Mr. Chairman, gas prices are down, and so far this summer in New 
Jersey, the lights have stayed on. But make no mistake about it, we 
have an energy crisis in America. Many families face energy bills two 
to three times higher than they were a year ago. Millions of Americans 
find themselves dealing with rolling blackouts. Employers are laying 
off workers to absorb the rising cost of energy. Even families 
vacationing across America this summer may have noticed a new 
``energy'' surcharge tacked onto their motel bills.
  Let's face it, we live and work in a nation that demands more energy 
than we can adequately supply. We are a nation that relies on fossil 
fuels, and whether we think that's good or bad, it's not going to 
change. Oil, gas and coal fuel our nation. In fact, 52% of our nation's 
electricity is generated in power plants that burn coal, 20% of our 
nation's electricity is nuclear powered, and 18% of America's lights 
are turned on thanks to natural gas.
  We won't go from huge gas-guzzling SUV's to small, electric vehicles 
overnight. Nor will we unplug our computers and televisions, and run 
our homes and businesses on solar energy just because someone says 
that's a wise thing to do. It's just not realistic. What is realistic, 
however, is the fact that we can be smarter and more efficient about 
the way we produce and consume energy.
  That's why I applaud President Bush for his leadership on the issue 
of energy. You and I may not agree with each and every proposal he has 
put forth, but one thing we can all agree on is the fact that we need a 
comprehensive strategy to ensure a steady supply of affordable energy 
for America's homes, businesses and industries.
  President Bush has called for such an energy policy, one that is 
balanced, long term and provides answers that will ensure the United 
States has that safe, stable and reliable national energy supply we so 
desperately need.
  Congress worked hard to shape the President's vision. It is important 
to keep in mind that this problem was created as a result of eight 
years of neglect and ``knee-jerk'' reactions to various energy crises 
``of the moment.'' Thus, since this crisis worsened over many years, 
there is no overnight solution to our nation's energy woes. 
Furthermore, once our strategic plan is implemented, it will 
require constant monitoring. We will need to update the plan as new 
technology is developed and alternative energy sources are found. But 
having a plan already in place will make it easier to make necessary 
adjustments in the way our nation produces and uses energy.

  The President's plan has many components. Among the provisions 
Congress is addressing are funding increases for the Low Income Home 
Energy Assistance Program, setting stricter standards for energy use in 
Federal buildings, and offering tax credits for consumers, home and 
business owners that focus on energy conservation, reliability and 
production. A large part of the President's plan calls for funding 
increases to improve conservation efforts, reduce energy consumption 
and to encourage research and development of renewable energy, oil, 
gas, coal and nuclear energy. He also wants us to focus on the 
development of the most promising new sources of clean energy, 
including hydrogen, biomass, and alternative fueled vehicles. These are 
just a few examples of the many areas in energy science, conservation 
and public assistance we will be addressing over the coming months.
  For my part, you should know that I serve on the Appropriations 
Subcommittee which oversees the budget for the Department of Energy. In 
that role, I have and will continue to

[[Page E1567]]

support increased funding for research, development and greater 
consumer use of renewable energy. Over the last 7 years the Federal 
government has invested some $2.2 billion in renewable energy. I also 
remain a steadfast supporter of fusion energy research, much of which 
is conducted in New Jersey at Princeton University. Fusion energy has 
the potential to become an unlimited, safe, environmentally friendly, 
affordable energy source. I appreciate the budget support, some $240 
million this year for continued research, from the President and 
Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham.
  As a nation, we want the lights to come on whenever we flip the 
switch. We expect our computers to run and the air conditioning to 
work. Fortunately for New Jerseyans, unlike our fellow Americans in 
California, our power still flows--the lights come on, the computer 
runs and the air conditioning works. This is in large part due to the 
fact that most of New Jersey's electric power is generated by nuclear 
energy--75 percent of our electricity comes to us thanks to nuclear 
power. Nuclear energy has come a long way. It's proven to be safe, 
stable and reliable. But much of our nation does not have the benefit 
of such an abundant, reliable source of energy and that's exactly why 
we need a comprehensive national energy plan. As a nation, we cannot 
afford any more ``California'' crises.
  The bottom line is America must be energy self-sufficient. Currently, 
our nation imports over 55% of the oil we consume from foreign oil 
cartels. This must change. When more than half of our energy needs 
comes from foreign sources, particularly OPEC, that alone is a security 
risk. We need more American oil, more American gas, and more use of 
American clean-coal technology, to name just a few. This is the only 
way to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of energy when we need it. But 
this drive to produce more energy domestically does not mean that 
energy development and environmental priorities cannot co-exist. They 
must. There must be a balance between energy development and the 
protection of our environment. For the record, when I say balance is 
needed, I mean drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, or off 
the coasts of New Jersey or Florida are not options.
  Obviously energy has enormous implications for large and small 
businesses, homeowners, our economy, environment, and our national 
security. Under the President's leadership, I am confident that we will 
better manage America's energy problems. It won't be easy and there 
will be many disagreements. No one person, or no one political party, 
has all the answers. That's why the debate in Congress on America's 
energy plan for the 21st Century is so important. And, part of our 
obligation is to listen to our constituents and educate all Americans 
about the reality of our energy situation, and what it will actually 
take to improve it.
  Mr. Chairman, the situation is not as `cut and dry' as some people on 
both sides of the issue would like to make it. We cannot simply throw 
caution to the wind and build pipelines all over the place, and drill 
for oil or gas anywhere the oil companies want. Neither can we simply 
oppose an energy plan because we are pure environmentalists. The 
reality is we are a nation of homeowners, commuters and computer 
users--we consume energy in practically everything we do. That's why I 
am working to provide the necessary balance to our energy plan that 
will help us better manage our energy production and consumption. 
There's no way to escape it--we need a strategy on energy, and that's 
exactly what we are working on. At the same time, we can ill-afford to 
give up on our historic obligation to our children to protect our 
nation's air, water, wildlife and open spaces.
  We can, and will, do both.
  Again, Mr. Chairman, I support H.R. 4 and urge my colleagues to do 
the same.

                          ____________________