[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 70 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           H.R. 5429--AMERICAN-MADE ENERGY AND GOOD JOBS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2006

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, before the Memorial Day recess, we considered 
the misnamed and misguided American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act (H.R. 
5429). I voted against this legislation, which unfortunately passed the 
House of Representatives. As I have repeatedly stated, we must make a 
commitment to a rational energy policy that promotes sustainable energy 
sources and conservation; not continue the belief that we are going to 
drill our way to energy independence.
  Two weeks ago we considered the Fiscal Year 2007 Energy and Water 
Appropriations bill which funds our Nation's Department of Energy 
programs, water and science programs, and some defense and agriculture 
related programs. Unfortunately, instead of making a commitment to a 
rational energy policy, the Energy and Water bill continues our 
dependence on fossil fuels and continues our practice of poisoning our 
lands, oceans, and air. While the Energy and Water bill does increase 
funding for alternative energy research and development, we must do 
more. I was pleased to learn that energy supply and conservation 
programs will receive more funding in Fiscal Year 07 than they did last 
year. However, this is not even close to sufficient. Congress still 
fails to recognize the dire situation the world faces with regard to 
global warming and the urgency of the action we must take. It is 
apparent now to all but the willingly blind that we are altering our 
climate in dangerous and deadly ways, and that is threatening the 
ability of the air and the oceans to sustain us.
  We then considered a bill that will once again allow drilling in the 
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I wonder when my colleagues will learn 
that drilling our way to energy independence is unrealistic and simply 
flawed logic. The United States consumes 25 percent of the world's oil, 
yet we only have less than 3 percent of the world's proven oil 
reserves. Even if we find oil in ANWR, we will not even come close to 
lessening our dependence on foreign oil.
  We must focus on developing sustainable energy sources and 
encouraging conservation. We can do this by investing in programs that 
make our schools, office buildings and homes energy efficient. We must 
continue to invest in transportation systems that optimize technology 
to efficiently and effectively move passengers while consuming less 
energy. In 2005 the Energy Information Administration estimated that if 
oil was discovered in ANWR, it would only lower gas prices by about one 
penny per gallon twenty years from now. Responding to rising gas prices 
by drilling is simply not the answer.
  My colleague from New York, Mr. Boehlert, pointed out during debate 
on the House floor, that we have not considered one piece of 
conservation legislation since the most recent spike in gas prices in 
May of this year. When will we realize that there are other means to 
fulfilling our energy needs than destroying our environment and 
disrupting habitat and wildlife?
  It is essential for us to do something dramatic. It is not enough for 
us to just do a little bit better every year. This is the only way to 
actually work our way to energy independence. Now is the time for my 
colleagues to make a commitment to alternative energy sources. We must 
continue to fight to preserve our environment and develop energy 
sources that are clean, safe, and sustainable.

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