[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       AMERICA NEEDS MORE ENERGY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 17, 2007

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, America needs more energy.
  Today we import around 60 percent of our oil from OPEC countries, 
many of which shield our enemies and disagree with our way of life. But 
we find ourselves dependent on these countries to supply the energy we 
need. We continue to import a lion's share of our energy from these 
countries, while refusing to increase our domestic energy supply.
  Much of the energy legislation being proposed by my Democratic 
colleagues turns a blind eye to the reality that our economy depends on 
fossil fuels. Opponents of oil and gas continue to sponsor legislation 
to raise taxes on our domestic energy producers and refiners. Making 
American energy more expensive than foreign sources defies logic.
  Comprehensive energy solutions must include provisions to promote all 
sources of energy. We must invest in research and development for 
technologies to promote the use of renewable and alternative sources of 
energy for the future, but at the same time we must also support the 
domestic oil and gas industry in order to reduce our dependence on 
foreign oil.
  The oil industry works just like other sectors of the economy, 
through the laws of supply and demand. Demand is increasing and has 
been for years, yet we are not increasing our domestic output. 
Refineries are operating at near-capacity and we haven't built any new 
ones since 1976. Congress needs to start realizing that fossil fuels 
are going to continue to be our major source of energy for decades to 
come, and make policy to reflect this reality.
  As Ranking Member of the Science and Technology Committee, I strongly 
support a diverse portfolio of investments in both short-term and long-
term energy R&D. I believe that one day, renewable and alternative 
sources of energy will provide America with energy on a widespread 
scale.
  However, it will be years, if not decades, before these investments 
can help America achieve energy independence. In the meantime, we must 
be realistic about what makes our cars run and our light bulbs glow. We 
must not legislate to make headlines. We need to build on comprehensive 
energy policies that recognize the importance of all energy sources, 
including fossil fuels, to ensure national energy security.

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