[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
Conference Report on H.R. 6. This comprehensive energy plan will help 
America become more energy self-sufficient, create hundreds of 
thousands of new jobs and spur innovation for accessing new energy 
sources.
  Nearly every sector of our economy is affected by high energy prices. 
Manufacturing facilities, the transportation industry and agricultural 
businesses all depend on affordable and reliable supplies of 
electricity, fuel and fertilizers to thrive in today's international 
economy.
  All Americans, directly and indirectly, pay for the price of products 
or services that depend on various forms of energy. No one is immune 
from rising energy costs, and I am pleased the House has taken the lead 
in passing this long-term energy plan to help address energy 
reliability, supply and prices.
  The Conference Report provides tax incentives within five main 
categories to improve energy production, transportation and efficiency. 
This balanced approach helps ensure we are taking care of current 
energy needs while also planning for future demand.
  If America wants an internationally competitive economy that can 
fully contend with emerging economic superpowers of the 21st century, 
we must take actions now to reduce barriers to competitiveness. Having 
a secure and reliable source of energy is vital to keeping and creating 
high-quality, high-paying jobs in America. The provisions contained in 
this energy conference agreement are reliable options the private 
sector can use to make us more competitive.
  Other countries have been more pro-active than we have in preparing 
for future energy needs. Brazil is projected to be completely energy 
self-sufficient within a few years. What once was considered an 
illusory dream may now become reality because Brazil recognized a 
problem and committed to a long-term solution. It may have taken them 
years to develop renewable energy sources, but Brazil is now a leader 
in ethanol production. As a result, its economy has been able to curb 
costs associated with higher crude oil prices.
  H.R. 6 provides a renewable fuel standard that requires 7.5 billion 
gallons to be used annually by 2012. This provision will help increase 
our ethanol and biodiesel production at a time when alternatives to 
foreign oil are greatly needed. By ramping up the production of 
alternative fuel sources, we are going to take positive steps toward 
more secure and reliable means of meeting our energy demands into the 
21st century.
  Kansas' agriculture economy will also reap the benefits of increased 
uses for crops. We are learning more and more that today's farmers not 
only put food on our tables but they also play an important role in 
reducing emissions and helping us become less dependent on Middle East 
oil for our fuel needs. By expanding markets for agriculture 
commodities, producers and rural communities will see new sources of 
revenue.
  Another conservation provision in the energy bill is the 4-week 
extension of Daylight Savings Time. By simply extending Daylight 
Savings Time 3 weeks in the spring and 1 week in the fall, we will 
reduce energy consumption equal to about 100,000 barrels of oil per day 
for four weeks. This energy saving time provision will also contribute 
to lower crime and fewer traffic fatalities.
  As we look toward the future, we also need to be realistic about 
current energy demands. That is why the energy bill helps oil and gas 
producers increase domestic production, expand distribution 
capabilities and increase refining capacity. H.R. 6 provides $2.6 
billion in tax incentives to accomplish these goals. Currently, small 
refiners are eligible for percentage depletion deductions if their 
refinery runs do not exceed 50,000 barrels on any day of the year. The 
energy bill increases that barrel limit to 75,000 barrels, which will 
encourage greater production by America's smaller refiners.
  The energy Conference agreement contains just over $3 billion in tax 
incentives that will bolster our electricity infrastructure. Measures 
such as reducing the depreciation period for assets used in the 
transmission and distribution of electricity from 20 years to 15 years 
will encourage more upgrades to the system. And tax credits, such as 
the one for new nuclear power facilities, will help investors and 
utilities take risks needed to create clean, reliable sources of 
electricity.
  Three separate tax credits were established for investments in clean 
coal facilities that produce electricity, and power plants will be able 
to amortize the cost of air pollution control facilities over 84 
months. These incentives help energy producers meet stringent air 
quality standards. By rewarding power plants that accelerate 
implementation of pollution controls, we are helping create a cleaner 
environment.
  Kansas is known for many wonderful things; one trait not so popular 
is our abundant source of wind. But as we find better ways to harness 
this natural Kansas resource, Kansas' abundant supply of wind may prove 
invaluable. The energy bill contains numerous tax incentives aimed at 
helping expand alternative sources of energy such as wind. Many Kansas 
landowners have also expressed strong support for expanded use of wind 
energy. Small wind farms can provide increases in the local tax base 
while creating additional revenue for the landowners.
  Hydrogen fuel cell technology continues to improve, and I am pleased 
the final energy bill included many options for integration of this 
emerging technology into the marketplace. I am hopeful we will see more 
and more public marketplace uses for hydrogen fuel cells. The fuel cell 
provisions in H.R. 6 help take us in that direction.
  This is a good plan that House Republicans and the Bush 
Administration have been working on non-stop for more than 4 years. I 
am very pleased we are finally successful in sending a national energy 
plan to the President's desk.

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