[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2398-H2399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                GEOTHERMAL ENERGY INITIATIVE ACT OF 2004

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention 
of this Congress legislation that I have recently introduced.
  The Geothermal Energy Initiative of 2004, H.R. 4094, is legislation 
that addresses a critically underdeveloped energy segment of our 
national renewable energy portfolio. The problem was cited in a January 
2004 Associated Press article which stated that the Federal Government 
has a backlog of 230 lease applications for the prospect of the 
utilization of geothermal energy.
  This Associated Press article also stated that the average age of an 
application for the prospect of geothermal sites is 9 years.
  February 2004 supply projections from the American Gas Association 
show that natural gas supplies will remain tight into the foreseeable 
future and will result in continued high prices. The high cost of 
natural gas affects electricity and home heating costs.
  In March of 2004, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration's climate monitoring laboratory reported that carbon 
dioxide levels in our environment are rising at alarming rates. Carbon 
dioxide contributes to global warming that disrupts climate and causes 
seas to rise.
  The last national resource assessment of geothermal sites in the 
United States was completed in 1978. There have been substantial 
improvements in technology and advances in geological sciences in the 
intervening 26 years.
  Clearly, there is a lack of resources and priority in the Department 
of the Interior concerning geothermal energy efforts.
  Now, in the current situation, most of our Nation's geothermal power 
plants were built in the mid-1980s and early 1990s when our energy 
markets were searching for alternative energy investments. 
Unfortunately, since that time, there has been a significant decline of 
focus on geothermal energy. Specifically, the Department of the 
Interior has steadily de-emphasized the geothermal energy program in 
the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Geological Survey.
  We must restore that focus. I believe we have an important 
opportunity to reemphasize this vital energy sector and greatly enhance 
our Nation's renewable energy portfolio.
  For example, the Bush administration has repeatedly championed the 
need to expand our renewable energy sources and to prioritize the 
development of our country's geothermal energy sources.
  Department of the Interior Secretary Gail Norton and Department of 
Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham have jointly stated their commitment 
to increasing our energy security by expanding the use of indigenous 
resources on Federal lands, while accelerating protection of the 
environment.
  That is not a true assessment as I see it, however. In fact, a 2003 
report from the Department of Energy found that California, Nevada, New 
Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington State have the greatest potential 
for quick development of geothermal resources. Both those Secretaries, 
Norton and Abraham, should look at this report. In fact, the study 
listed nine top sites in California and 10 in Nevada.
  Unfortunately, progress has not been made by either one of these 
departments. That is why I have introduced the Geothermal Energy 
Initiative of 2004, so that Congress, this administration and States 
can all work in concert.
  The Geothermal Energy Initiative Act of 2004 is straightforward 
legislation that will do the following: authorize the update of the 26-
year-old national assessment of geothermal resource. Significant 
advances in energy development technology and advances in geological 
sciences need to be harnessed to better understand and manage our 
geothermal resources.
  We must provide financial incentives to encourage the development of 
geothermal resources by expanding the production tax credit to include 
geothermal resources.
  Direct the Federal land management agencies to responsibly consider 
geothermal resources in their land use planning process. The initiative 
also provides direction to assist in streamlining the permit approval 
process.
  Provide provisions to defray costs associated with preparation of 
documents and analysis for compliance with Federal environmental 
protection regulations.
  Speaking from a California perspective for a moment, the immediate 
benefits of this initiative is the enormous positive impact that it 
will have on air

[[Page H2399]]

quality and quality of life. For example, it has been estimated that 
when geothermal resources associated with California are developed, 
they will replace half the fossil fuel-generated electricity for 
California.
  This benefit alone would help thousands of asthma sufferers in the 
Los Angeles basin. Also, the addition of geothermal energy will help 
relieve the high cost of electricity and provide families with more 
disposable income.
  Jobs continue to be a top priority for States and localities. As our 
country works toward rebuilding our job base, due to the loss of 
textile and manufacturing jobs that have moved overseas, my legislation 
offers communities a new economic base and the opportunity for economic 
growth.
  Most geothermal generating facilities are located in rural areas 
where jobs tend to be scarce. A recent economic development study 
documents the tremendous job opportunities associated with geothermal 
generation facilities. Building a 50 megawatt geothermal power plant 
would create hundreds of immediate construction and related development 
jobs as well as approximately 30 to 50 permanent full-time jobs at the 
facility.
  Considering the economic multiplier effect, this would mean at least 
150 to 200 new jobs in the community.
  Given the long operating life of existing geothermal plans, they are 
a stable and reliable part of the community's economic base. These 
facilities have a proven record of providing millions of dollars in 
property taxes and royalties to county and State treasuries. These 
funds help schools and community infrastructure.
  Lastly, Mr. Speaker, geothermal energy development sustains renewable 
energy efforts including compliance with renewable portfolio standards. 
It is consistent with the wind energy sources. Geothermal power plants 
recycle their spent hot water back into the aquifer they are developed 
on. So this is truly renewable.
  I ask my colleagues to strongly support this legislation.

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