[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




H.R. 3221, THE NEW DIRECTION FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY 
  AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT AND H.R. 2776, THE RENEWABLE ENERGY AND 
                      ENERGY CONSERVATION TAX ACT

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                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Saturday, August 4, 2007

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this energy package 
because the energy policies we adopt over the next 5 years will 
determine the future of life on our planet.
  For too long, our energy policies have moved us in the wrong 
direction. Although we briefly made some progress in the mid-1980s 
because of increases in fuel economy standards, overall oil consumption 
has increased by nearly 4 million barrels per day since the mid-1970s. 
In that time, oil imports have also increased from approximately 40 
percent to 60 percent. That dependence is putting our economic 
leadership and national security in peril according to top business 
leaders and national security experts.
  The threat of global climate change has also grown and threatens to 
fundamentally change the global landscape. The United Nation's 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has given us a clear picture 
of the role that human activities, particularly our energy consumption, 
play in global warming, and it has projected severe impacts for our 
planet and our way of life.
  Dr. James Hansen, NASA's renowned climate expert, now warns that we 
have less than a decade to start making significant reductions in 
greenhouse gas emissions if we're going to avert the most severe 
impacts of global climate change.
  Top businesses, including the Big Three U.S. automakers, have also 
agreed that we must reduce greenhouse emissions in the U.S. by 60 
percent to 80 percent by 2050.
  Just as important, there are 2 billion people living in the 
developing world, including China and India, who do not have access to 
reliable sources of energy. They are striving to secure reliable energy 
and to achieve the prosperity we enjoy.
  These factors represent both a challenge and an opportunity for our 
country and the world.
  Silicon Valley, which is in my Congressional district, has reinvented 
itself time and again to anticipate the next economic challenge and 
opportunity. Today, the Valley is focused on energy, investing billions 
in new technologies and start-ups.
  It's time for Congress to recognize and respond to these facts by 
taking a new approach on energy policy, and that is what this bill 
does.
  Instead of addressing issues of supply and demand and promoting 
dinosaur-age technology, we are fixed on achieving two goals: becoming 
energy independent and addressing the threat of global warming.
  This legislation is not the end of our efforts; it is the first step 
in meeting these goals. It is signal legislation.
  The bill cuts $16 billion in incentives for the oil and gas industry 
and invests it in renewable energy and efficiency. This includes 
eliminating the so-called Hummer tax loophole which gives a $25,000 tax 
deduction for the purchase of SUVs weighing more than 6,000 pounds. I 
introduced the first legislation in the House to close this loophole in 
2003. By taking this step alone, we will save nearly $800 million that 
will be invested in consumer tax incentives to promote solar energy and 
plug-in hybrid vehicles.
  The bill also raises 43 efficiency standards for appliances and 
buildings. Once fully implemented, the bill will reduce carbon dioxide 
emissions by 10 billion tons. That is more than the emissions of all 
the cars on the road today. Included in this effort is a provision I 
proposed to improve the efficiency of computer data centers--the 
facilities that are the backbone of our information economy.
  I believe we can and should do more.
  First, we should do as California and many other States have done: 
Adopt a national renewable electricity standard (RES) and I will vote 
for the RES amendment that will require 15 percent of our electricity 
to come from renewable resources.
  Second, we need to address the fuel economy of our automobile fleet. 
Although this is not part of our debate today, I look forward to 
addressing it as we take up additional energy legislation in the fall.
  Madam Speaker, we have a long way to go toward fully addressing 
global warming and energy independence. This energy package represents 
an important first step and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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