[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6, ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6, the 
Energy Policy Act of 2003 Conference Report. Completion of this energy 
bill is yet another step forward in our struggle for energy security 
and independence. A reliable and affordable energy supply is crucial to 
America's economic vitality, security, and quality of life.
  While this final conference report is not perfect, we continue to 
make progress towards promoting energy conservation and efficiency; 
increasing the use of all domestic energy resources, including coal; 
improving energy infrastructure; and promoting the development of 
advanced energy technologies.
  The combustion of fossil fuels is essential to our energy policy and 
must continue to be a part of a balanced energy plan for this country. 
Coal is absolutely critical to our nation's economic health and global 
competitiveness. Coal accounts for more than 50 percent of U.S. 
electricity generation, far ahead of nuclear power, natural gas, 
hydroelectric power, petroleum and other sources. There is no present 
alternative to coal to meet our energy needs. New and improved 
technologies hold the promise of far greater emissions reductions and 
increased efficiency.
  Clean coal provisions are included in the final conference report 
that would assist in burning coal more efficiently and cleanly. These 
clean coal technology initiatives encourage development of new 
technologies for cleaner, higher efficiency coal combustion in new and 
established plants with the hope of achieving a healthier environment 
while maintaining jobs. America's substantial investment in clean coal 
technology creates 62,000 jobs and ensures Americans new electricity 
that is abundant, reliable, affordable and cleaner than ever before.
  The bill includes a $1.8 billion authorization for the Secretary of 
Energy to carry out the Clean Coal Power Initiative, which will provide 
funding to those projects that can demonstrate advanced coal-based 
power generating technologies that achieve significant reductions in 
emissions. Further, the bill authorizes $1.422 billion for coal 
research and development. I fought hard for increases to coal within 
the fossil energy research and development budget and I was glad to see 
they were included in the final version.

  Finally, the legislation includes a provision, which I authored, 
called the Clean Coal Centers of Excellence. Under this provision, the 
Secretary of Energy will award competitive, merit-based grants to 
universities that show the greatest potential for advancing new clean 
coal technologies. Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), 
which I represent, continues to be a leader in clean coal technology 
research, doing extensive work at its Coal Research Center. With 
funding and collaborative support from industry and government, SIUC 
has conducted long-term projects relating to surface mine reclamation, 
mine subsidence, coal desulfurization, coal characterization and 
combustion, coal residue management and utilization, coal market 
modeling, and environmental policy. Faculty, staff, and students in 
fields as diverse as engineering, science, business, education, law, 
and agriculture have contributed to the University's international 
reputation in coal research. It is well-positioned to be a potential 
recipient of the Clean Coal Centers of Excellence.
  In addition to the clean coal provision, the bill contains provisions 
instrumental in helping increase conservation and lowing consumption. 
Included in this are ethanol provisions that are used as a replacement 
and additive for gasoline consumption. Under this legislation, ethanol 
use would increase, nearly tripling the current requirement. This is 
expected to increase the average price of corn paid to farmers 6.6 
percent, or 16 cents per bushel and increase average net cash income to 
farmers by $3.3 billion over the next decade, or more than six percent.
  This increased use of ethanol will save 1.3 billion barrels of oil by 
2016, improve the trade deficit by $28.5 billion over 15 years, add 
$135 billion to the American economy by 2016 through increased 
agricultural demand and new capital spending, and generate $32 billion 
in income for American consumers over 15 years.
  Mr. Speaker, this energy bill will shape energy policy for the next 
decade and beyond. I am glad coal and ethanol remain an integral part 
of our energy future and I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation.

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