[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           STATEMENT ON SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ENERGY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on September 19, 2002, I submitted a 
statement during the meeting of conferees for H.R. 4, the Securing 
America's Future Energy Act. During this session, House conferees 
approved a burdensome electricity title that could do irreparable harm 
to how rural Missourians receive power. Because this portion of the 
energy bill could have a significantly negative impact on rural 
America, let me take this means to share my statement with all members 
of the U.S. House of Representatives. Set forth text as follows:

       I want to thank the leaders of the energy bill conference 
     for holding this important meeting today. Although I have 
     been appointed a conferee to this energy legislation because 
     of its provisions related to the military, I come before you 
     today to share my support for rural electric cooperatives and 
     to express profound concerns about the possible inclusion of 
     an onerous electricity title in the final energy bill.
       Since the beginning months of the 107th Congress, Members 
     from the House and Senate in both political parties have 
     worked to draft energy legislation that is good for our 
     Nation. In 2000, both presidential candidates developed plans 
     for our future energy needs, and President Bush asked 
     Congress to craft comprehensive energy policy legislation. We 
     have done that. Each chamber has approved two distinct 
     versions of an energy bill, and there are good and bad 
     aspects to each of them. That is why we are here today and 
     have been meeting in conference to iron out the differences 
     between our respective bills.
       As someone who is privileged to represent rural Missouri in 
     the United States Congress, I am particularly mindful of 
     rural American interests, including the electric cooperatives 
     that power nearly all of the Fourth Congressional District. 
     The version of the energy bill approved by the Senate 
     includes a title dedicated to electricity. The Senate 
     electricity provisions, which are supported by the National 
     Rural Electric Cooperative Association, recognize the unique 
     role electric cooperatives play in providing electric power 
     to folks who live throughout the countryside.
       The House-passed version of the energy bill does not 
     include an electricity title. In fact, the House has been 
     unable to develop a sufficient consensus to approve an 
     electric utility restructuring bill during the 107th 
     Congress. Such a measure failed to pass the Energy and Air 
     Quality Subcommittee or the Energy and Commerce Committee. 
     That is a good thing for rural electricity consumers because 
     the House bill would not acknowledge the special private 
     business characteristics and the unique demographics of 
     electric cooperatives and their customers.
       It has come to my attention that during the last meeting of 
     the energy bill conference, members discussed several aspects 
     of the House electricity reform bill, I am concerned that 
     some members who have been long-time advocates of stringent 
     House electricity legislation are attempting to use this 
     conference committee to advocate their bill as the ``House 
     position'' on electricity, even though the House has 
     repeatedly been unable to find general agreement on this 
     matter. Such action would be devastating to electric 
     cooperatives and to the customers they serve.
       Electric cooperatives have a long and distinguished history 
     in our country. They provide private ownership to consumers 
     of their electric utility and operate at cost. This type of 
     ownership has been very successful in rural Missouri where 
     population densities and revenues are low. It has also 
     immunized electric cooperatives from the price gouging, 
     market manipulation, and corporate malfeasance activities 
     that have emerged in the electricity industry over the past 
     year.
       Any electricity provision approved by the conferees must 
     carefully address the unique interests of rural America. If 
     conferees proceed with approving the House Energy and 
     Commerce Committee's electricity restructuring proposal as 
     part of this energy bill, it will cause great heartburn for 
     those of us who represent rural America. Although I have not 
     made a determination on how I will vote on a final energy 
     work product, the inclusion of this burdensome provision will 
     make me think twice about supporting it. More importantly, it 
     will lead to higher rates for rural Americans who rely on 
     electric cooperatives for their energy needs.

     

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