[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 165 (Monday, December 3, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S12277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              ENERGY BILL

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, we focused on the energy bill the 
Republicans put forth and on ANWR, but there are other problems with 
the bill. Time is short and we cannot spend too much time on it. For 
example, one of the things that bill does not have included is vehicle 
fuel efficiency. It failed to provide an increase in fuel efficiency 
standards for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, and minivans. I 
think it should provide additional standards for passenger automobiles 
in general.
  Dealing with just light trucks, sport utility vehicles, and minivans, 
the provisions would reduce overall national gasoline usage by 1 
percent. Closing the SUV loophole would substantially reduce air 
pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and save consumers billions at the 
gas pump each year. The current standard established in 1989 is 27.5 
miles for passenger automobiles, sports utility vehicles, SUVs, and 
minivans. A much larger increase in fuel efficiency would be paid for. 
I have no doubt that is the case in future fuel savings. That is 
something not addressed in the bill.
  Also in the bill they provide $33.5 billion over 10 years in tax 
breaks for electric utilities and oil and natural gas exploration. No 
offset was provided for the additional tax breaks, and only 17 percent 
is for energy efficiency and 83 percent for fossil fuels and nuclear 
power. While from a strict policy standpoint this is not good, from the 
sense that we need not give them any more tax breaks than they have, 
even if you disagree with that statement, you should be concerned about 
the fact there is no offset for the tax breaks. Further, over 10 years, 
this is adding $33.5 billion in deficit spending for our country.
  We have to be very careful. There are many problems with this 
legislation. It is more than the arctic wilderness. We have focused on 
that. They are weakening environmental protections and drilling in 
national forests. There are a number of things we cannot lose sight of 
that include more than just the national arctic wilderness.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call 
be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. REID. I ask during this quorum call that the time be charged 
equally against both sides.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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