[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CORRECTING THE ENROLLMENT OF H.R. 889

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2006

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that, on Monday, the House 
passed S. Con. Res. 103, though I am disappointed by the events that 
necessitated its consideration. Last September, when the House 
considered H.R. 889, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, I expressed my 
concern about a provision that would have altered the existing 
evaluation and approval process for the Cape Wind project, a 420 
megawatt offshore wind farm proposed for Horseshoe Shoal off the coast 
of Massachusetts. That project is currently undergoing a thorough 
review process that is working with numerous federal and state 
agencies, as well as interested parties, to assess potential impacts to 
the environment, navigation and other areas of concern. When the House 
and Senate went to conference, I wrote to the head House conferees, 
explaining the strong support in Rhode Island for the project and 
cautioning about the potential negative ramifications of the provision 
on the growing wind energy industry, which will help diversify our 
Nation's energy supply by providing a clean and renewable source to 
millions of Americans.
  Much to my dismay, during conference negotiations, a much broader 
restriction on the project was inserted--language that had not been 
considered by either the House or Senate--that would essentially 
circumvent the existing project by giving the Governor of Massachusetts 
veto power over this particular project. At a time when our Nation's 
economy is endangered by our dependence on foreign oil, we should be 
encouraging clean and renewable energy development, not blocking it. To 
protest this last-minute back-room conference deal, I joined the 
gentleman from New Hampshire, Mr. Bass, in leading an effort to ask the 
House leadership to prevent the consideration of any final agreement on 
the Coast Guard bill that contained language endangering the Cape Wind 
project in Massachusetts. I am pleased that widespread public 
opposition to the language forced it to be removed from the bill, and I 
will continue my efforts to promote the responsible development of 
clean and renewable energy in Congress.

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