[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  IDAHO'S RESOLUTION FOR ENERGY POLICY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. C.L. ``BUTCH'' OTTER

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully offer for my colleagues' 
attention the following astute remarks contained in the resolution 
proposed by the Canyon County Republican Central Committee and adopted 
by the Idaho Republican Party at its 2001 Summer State Central 
Committee Meeting on June 16, 2001. 1 could not agree more with the 
statements and sentiments of my fellow Idaho Republicans, and am 
pleased that this Congress has begun to take steps to see that the 
energy goals of Idaho and other states are fulfilled as quickly as 
possible.

               A Resolution of the Idaho Republican Party

       Whereas, over the last decade, the West has experienced 
     tremendous economic and population growth. The growth has 
     resulted in significant new demands on energy resources of 
     all types. Over the last year, the United States, and the 
     West in particular, have seen its surplus energy resources 
     disappear, resulting in unprecedented prices for electric 
     energy and natural gas. This situation has resulted in 
     curtailment of energy intensive industries and subsequent 
     employment displacement. Furthermore, the situation has 
     revealed that there is not adequate amounts of electric 
     energy generation or electric and gas transmission available 
     to meet current or future needs due to a variety of reasons, 
     including non-existent national energy policy, lack of new 
     investment in construction, inefficient sitting regulations, 
     local opposition, and a myriad of statutory and regulatory 
     impediments;
       Whereas, the West plays a critical role in energy policy 
     and development due to its abundance of natural gas, clean 
     coal, hydropower resources, and emerging non-hydropower 
     renewable resources;
       Whereas, the citizens of Idaho have historically been the 
     beneficiaries of some of the lowest energy costs in the 
     United States largely because of the clean, renewable 
     hydropower, an efficient electric distribution and 
     transmission system and proximity to affordable natural gas 
     reserves and pipelines;
       Whereas, these energy resources have played a significant 
     role in the development of Idaho's economic prosperity and 
     will play a key role in future economic growth and energy 
     cost affordability for Idaho citizens;
       Now, therefore, be it resolved, That the Idaho Republican 
     Party urges policy makers at all levels of government, to 
     support and enact energy policies that continue to allow 
     Idaho citizens to have access to clean, affordable, and 
     reliable energy. These policies should include, but are not 
     limited to, a streamlined regulatory process for construction 
     and operation of electric generation, electric transmission, 
     and natural gas pipelines. These policies should also 
     specifically include support for hydropower relicensing 
     reform, improving energy efficiency and conservation, 
     development and deployment of new technologies for 
     traditional and emerging generation systems and short-term 
     measures to support low-income families with energy payments.
       Be it further resolved, That policy makers at all levels 
     coordinate their policies and procedures with each other to 
     maximize taxpayer dollars and provide non-duplicative, 
     efficient and effective government oversight responsibility.
       This resolution proposed by the Canyon County Republican 
     Central Committee, was duly considered and adopted by the 
     Idaho Republican Party at its 2001 Summer State Central 
     Committee Meeting.
       IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of 
     the Part at Twin Falls, Idaho, this 16th day of June, A.D. 
     2001.

     Trent L. Clark, State Party Chairman

     

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