[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5427), 
     making appropriations for energy and water development for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other 
     purposes:
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, on Rollcall 198, I inadvertently 
voted against the amendment offered by my colleague Rep. Rosa DeLauro 
to restore $25 million to the Department of Energy's State Energy 
Program. I had intended to vote yes because the State Energy Program is 
effective and important program that provides vital funds to 55 State 
Energy Offices around the country.
  While energy prices continue to escalate, State Energy Offices are 
one of the few on the ground resources to increase energy efficiency 
for consumers, educate the public on ways of reducing energy use, and 
monitor the price and supply situation.
  That's why I was puzzled and disappointed that the Energy and Water 
Development Appropriations Subcommittee effectively terminated the 
State Energy Program, SEP, in its FY07 bill.
  In many of the States, the impact will be devastating. For States 
without other dedicated sources of revenue, State energy services will 
be terminated. Many legislatures have already adjourned for the year 
and will not have an opportunity to attempt to step into the breach. 
Destroying the State Energy Offices at the very time that energy costs 
are hovering at record highs, many oil producing nations are unstable, 
and supplies are tight makes no sense.
  It was just last year that this body voted to authorize $100 million 
for the SEP in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In his FY07 budget 
request, the President asked for $49.5 million for the SEP, restoring a 
20 percent cut from last year. So I find it troubling that the Energy 
and Water Development Subcommittee voted in contradiction both to the 
Administration's proposal and the recently adopted energy policy of 
Congress.
  SEP has a proven record of reducing energy consumption for 
residential consumers, as well as schools, hospitals, small businesses 
and agriculture, and has funded a variety of important programs in 
Colorado.
  Restoration of SEP funding will have an immediate effect on reducing 
demand for energy, allowing us to leverage specific investments in a 
variety of energy efficiency projects in all types of buildings. In 
addition, SEP funding will permit us to expand aggressive public 
information efforts, convincing consumers and businesses alike to 
increase their use of energy efficient products, add insulation to 
their homes, utilize hybrid or ethanol-fueled vehicles, etc. Studies 
have shown that for every Federal dollar invested in this program, over 
$7 is saved in direct energy costs.
  I am pleased that the DeLauro amendment passed the House, and I 
regret that the final vote tally does not reflect my strong support for 
the State Energy Program.

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