[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 152 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      EMERGENCY GENERATORS FOR ELECTRIC NEEDS (E-GEN) ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 16, 2005

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Emergency Generators for Electric Needs (E-GEN) Act of 2005.
  More than 3 million Floridians were without power following Hurricane 
Wilma, some for well over three weeks. Few had electric generators of 
their own, leaving them dependent on the ability of power and utility 
companies to efficiently repair damaged infrastructure and make any 
necessary repairs.
  Tens of thousands of seniors in South Florida who were relatively 
well-off before Hurricane Wilma quickly became vulnerable when the 
power went out after Wilma. Many of the buildings where they lived were 
old, ill-equipped and unable to generate emergency power, placing their 
lives in immediate risk.
  According to various dealers, the costs of portable emergency power 
generators typically range between $1,000 and $3,000 depending on the 
wattage. Industrial-sized generators can cost upwards of $50,000. For 
many residents and communities, these costs are not affordable. The E-
GEN Act enables individuals and communities to become self-sufficient 
when the power goes out. Under the bill, 75 percent of the cost of the 
purchase and installation of the generator would be eligible for 
reimbursement in the form of a tax credit. The credit cannot be used in 
conjunction with other emergencies reimbursements.
  For individual homeowners, the credit is not to exceed $2,500. For 
businesses, condominium associations, senior communities, and others, 
the tax credit is not to exceed $60,000. These credits are vital to 
alleviate the problems disaster victims face, especially the elderly 
and infirm, when utility power disruptions prevent the use of essential 
items such as lighting, refrigeration, elevators, medical supplies, and 
heating and air conditioners.
  Threats of natural and man-made disasters are on the rise. These 
events require proactive mitigation to protect the public from even 
larger catastrophes until order is restored. Credits used to purchase 
emergency generators through the E-GEN Act will save the government 
money and effort ordinarily used to provide shelters and temporary 
housing for displaced residents. If we can keep people's power on after 
a disaster then we can also protect their health and emotional well-
being, while also keeping them in the comfortable confines of their own 
homes, instead of laid out on some cot in a shelter.
  A lack of power contributed significantly to the problems that 
existed in South Florida during and after the 2004 hurricanes and again 
following Hurricane Wilma. This legislation will help cover the costs 
for individuals, adult communities and businesses who want to purchase 
emergency generators but can't afford them.
  I ask for my colleagues' support and urge the House Leadership to 
bring it swiftly to the House floor for consideration.




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