[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DRILL RESPONSIBLY IN LEASED LANDS ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                                speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 6515, the Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands (DRILL) Act. I would 
like to thank the Speaker and the Democratic Leadership for taking 
action on the urgent and vitally important issue of high fuel prices 
and energy security.
  In the face of high gasoline and fuel prices that are creating 
economic hardship for Americans, it is important that we maximize use 
of the resources that we have at our disposal today. The DRILL Act does 
this by requiring oil companies to drill in the 68 million acres of 
federal lands already leased but sitting idle. Such a measure is an 
important first step in our country's energy policy.
  We have heard many calls from President Bush and our Republican 
colleagues for opening up new lands for drilling, both in the Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS) and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). 
Though these may seem like quick-fixes to our energy problems, they are 
misleading and do not address the problem of high prices and dependence 
on fossil fuels in the short or long-term. Neither OCS nor ANWR would 
produce oil for at least the next ten years. Congressional expert 
projections indicate no significant impact on oil and natural gas 
prices before 2030. Even then, there is no guarantee that increased 
production would affect prices at all. Oil prices are determined on an 
international market, and OPEC could neutralize the effect on oil 
prices by offsetting any additional supply U.S. oil production brings 
to the market.
  The reality is that while we must look for ways to increase our 
domestic oil production in the shorter-term--as the DRILL Act does,--we 
cannot drill ourselves out of our energy problems in the long-term. The 
United States consumes 25 percent of the world's oil but only holds 3 
percent of the world's known oil reserves. To ensure our country's 
security, prosperity, and environmental sustainability we must shift to 
cleaner sources of energy and increase efficiency in our energy use. 
Moving to clean, renewable energy sources will enhance our energy 
independence, bolster our economy through the creation of green jobs, 
and promote environmental sustainability. Biofuels, wind and solar 
energy are promising alternatives to oil and coal, and it is vital to 
invest in research and production incentives for these technologies. At 
the same time we must increase energy efficiency in our buildings and 
transportation sector.
  Most importantly, Americans must think critically and proactively 
about lifestyle changes that simultaneously preserve the prosperity of 
our country and promote responsible stewardship of our planet.
  Mr. Speaker, America's energy problem is a daunting one, but it is 
one we can solve if we work together to enact responsible policies for 
the short and long-term. I urge my colleagues to support the DRILL Act, 
as it is an important first step in the right direction. In the long-
term, we must enact smart, forward looking policies that move us toward 
cleaner, sustainable energy and ensure prosperity and a healthy planet 
for future generations.

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