[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ENERGY ACT OF 2001

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                               speech of

                           HON. PHIL ENGLISH

                            of pennsylvania

                    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. ENGLISH. Mr. Chairman, we are in the midst of an energy crisis 
brought on by years of ignoring the potential problems. During the next 
20 years, U.S. oil consumption will increase by 33 percent and the 
demand for electricity will rise by 45 percent.
  At this rate, the demands for energy will far outweigh the supply if 
we do not enact a comprehensive energy plan. With that I urge my 
colleagues to support the Securing America's Future Energy Act which 
emphasizes conservation, infrastructure upgrades and further 
development of traditional fossil fuels.
  I would like to take a moment and focus on some of the conservation 
aspects of H.R. 4. This bill provides a tax credit for residential 
solar energy use, which not only encourages the use of solar energy but 
it will reduce electric bills and the load on the electric grid. 
Through tax incentives, H.R. 4 also encourages the development and use 
of clean cars by increasing technology and reducing costs.
  Studies indicate that 275,000 alternative fuel vehicles will be 
purchased because of this bill, reducing gasoline consumption and the 
effects of greenhouse gases. Conservation is also emphasized in H.R. 4 
through tax credits for energy efficient appliances, homes and 
businesses.
  Use of super energy efficient appliances in all households would save 
more than 200 trillion BTUs, which is equivalent to taking 2.3 million 
cars off the road. If all households upgraded their insulation, 
electric consumption would be reduced by 7 percent.
  As you can see, this bill provides valuable tools to promote 
conservation among Americans. I realize, Mr. Chairman that conservation 
alone will not go far enough, but neither will drilling. In fact, 37.5 
percent of this bill stresses conservation, while 23.8 percent focuses 
on production and 38.7 percent on reliability. That is why I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 4 because it is a well-balanced plan that 
provides for the future energy needs of America.

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