[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 90 (Wednesday, July 12, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1385-E1386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DEEP OCEAN ENERGY RESOURCES ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4761) to 
     provide for exploration, development, and production 
     activities for mineral resources on the outer Continental 
     Shelf, and for other purposes:

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4761.
  Our country is facing a painful energy crisis as a result of the 
policies of this Administration and Congressional Leadership. The price 
of oil is as high as it has ever been, and the people in my district in 
North Carolina are suffering from these high energy prices. The 
American people desperately need effective new energy policies, but 
H.R. 4761 is simply more of the same failed solutions from the 
Republican majority in this body.
  This legislation would override provisions in my State of North 
Carolina against offshore drilling, and eliminate a long-standing 
national moratorium on coastal drilling. I have never supported 
drilling off the Outer Continental Shelf that could threaten North 
Carolina's pristine beaches.
  Instead of finding new solutions to our energy crisis, such as 
passing biofuels legislation that would encourage our farmers to grow 
our own fuel here at home, the Republican leadership chooses to put at 
risk the places all Americans hold dear.
  Mr. Chairman, I will vote against H.R. 4761, and I urge my colleagues 
to vote against this bill.

[[Page E1386]]



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