[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6, ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005

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                               speech of

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference 
report on H.R. 6, the omnibus energy bill. H.R. 6 is an important step 
toward increasing our Nation's energy independence by investing in 
energy efficiency and alternative energy sources.
  As a member of the House Renewable Energy Caucus, I support measures 
in H.R. 6 to encourage and increase the use of renewable and 
alternative energy sources. H.R. 6 includes important tax incentives 
for energy efficiency programs and renewable energy sources, such as 
wind and solar production. This measure also includes a tax credit of 
up to $3,400 for certain hybrid cars and trucks. As a cochair of the 
House Biofuels Caucus, I also support raising the renewable fuels 
standard to 7.5 billion gallons by 2012, which is more than triple the 
current amount.
  Over the past several Congresses, there have been several issues that 
have continually blocked congressional passage of comprehensive energy 
legislation, and I commend the conference committee on eliminating 
these controversial provisions from this final conference report. H.R. 
6 does not include a provision providing for drilling in the Alaskan 
National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which had been part of past energy 
legislation. This pristine 1.5 million acre coastal plain is often 
referred to as ``America's Serengeti'' because of the presence of 
caribou, polar bears, grizzly bears, wolves, migratory birds, and many 
other species living in a nearly undisturbed state. While some consider 
this area to be one of the most promising U.S. onshore oil and gas 
prospects, studies indicate that this area could only provide 6 month's 
supply of oil, 10 years from now, and consequently have no significant 
effect on our nation's dependence on foreign oil.

  Past versions of the energy legislation have also contained a safe-
harbor provision for producers of MTBE and other fuel oxygenates from 
product liability claims. Under previous energy bills, states and 
cities would have been prevented from bringing against potential 
offenders ``defective product'' lawsuits, which some cities have 
employed to recapture the cost of MTBE cleanups. The U.S. Conference of 
Mayors has stated that the cost of cleanup could run more than $29 
billion. If our states and localities were forced to pay these costs, 
the real costs would be borne by taxpayers. I commend the conference 
committee for eliminating this costly provision, and not making 
taxpayers responsible for the actions of a few MTBE producers.
  While I voted for H.R. 6, there are several provisions that concern 
me. The conference agreement fails to adequately address climate change 
by not including even the modest proposal adopted by the Senate. This 
provision, authored by Senator Chuck Hagel, would use tax credits to 
encourage, but not require, industry reductions in greenhouse gas 
emissions, including carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the conference 
agreement also requires an inventory of oil and natural gas resources 
in offshore areas, including areas now closed to drilling. I am 
concerned about this provision, because it could lead to opening these 
environmentally sensitive areas to offshore drilling. In addition, I am 
also disappointed that the final conference report did not include a 
``renewable portfolio standard'' that would have required utilities to 
get 10 percent of their electricity from alternative energy sources, 
such as wind and solar power, by 2020.
  While this is not a perfect bill, I believe it is an important first 
step in creating a comprehensive energy policy that invests in energy 
efficiency and alternative energy sources. We owe it to our children 
and grandchildren to develop and implement energy policies, which will 
decrease our dependence of foreign oil and that protect consumers, 
communities, and environmentally sensitive areas.

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