[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 11 (Friday, January 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REPORT ON RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6, CLEAN 
                           ENERGY ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 19, 2007

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 6, 
the Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation--CLEAN 
Energy--Act. At a time of record profits for the oil and gas industry, 
H.R. 6 repeals many incentives that I have not supported over the years 
and it takes a vital first step in bringing the energy policies of the 
United States into the 21st century. By recouping Federal revenues 
through the repeal of nearly $13 billion in subsidies and tax breaks to 
oil and gas companies, H.R. 6 appropriately dedicates this revenue to 
create a research and development fund for renewable energy sources 
including solar and wind energy, alternative fuels like ethanol and 
biodiesel, efficiency efforts, and conservation incentives.
  H.R. 6 rightly creates an incentive for offshore fuel producers to 
renegotiate leases issued in the late 1990s; an error that has not yet 
been corrected, which allowed companies to skirt royalty payments 
because no price threshold was included in lease agreements. It also 
repeals provisions that authorize additional royalty relief, as well as 
two tax breaks benefiting oil companies. This is not a tax increase as 
some may lead you to believe, it is sensible governing. I opposed 
legislation authorizing the subsidies in the first place and this is 
why I strongly support directing this money towards conservation and 
investment in the development in alternative sources of energy.
  Continued and increased investment in renewable and alternative 
fuels, efficiency, and conservation domestically is critical to 
severing the United States' dependence on fossil fuels, which has been 
linked to national security concerns as well as significant 
environmental harm, including global warming pollution.
  With the negative impacts of climate change on the security, economy, 
environment and health in our Nation and around the world abundantly 
clear, we can no longer delay in implementing policies to address the 
damaging effects of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We also need to 
set reasonable CAFE standards, which I believe are both achievable and 
valuable to a good energy policy.
  I remain committed to broadening the energy debate to sound and 
balanced proposals to meeting America's energy needs--while still 
acting as a steward of the environment. I urge my colleagues to join me 
in support of H.R. 6.

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