[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMPREHENSIVE AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2008

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Taxpayer Protection 
Act. This comprehensive energy bill provides a marked change to 
Republicans' solitary drumbeat of their flawed energy policy which only 
maintains the oil-consuming status quo. Instead of trying to score 
cheap political points, Democrats in Congress are paving the way 
forward with real sound solutions to the pain at the pump the American 
people are feeling.
  The Comprehensive American Energy Security and Taxpayer Protection 
Act expands domestic and alternative sources of energy to increase our 
nation`s national security. Additionally, it extends and expands tax 
incentives for renewable energy and reduces transit fares for commuter 
rail and buses. Provisions in the bill would responsibly open up the 
Outer Continental Shelf for drilling with significant environmental 
protections while demanding that oil companies use the leases they have 
already been issued.
  This bill allows for safe responsible drilling while investing in 
domestic alternative technologies and green jobs. In return for opening 
up more areas for drilling, the bill requires oil companies to pay 
American taxpayers royalties owed to them and ends subsidies to oil 
companies for drilling. This bill provides long-term solutions to help 
us achieve real energy independence, strengthen our national security, 
and reduce global warming.
  Under the agreement reached between Florida Democrats and House 
Leadership, the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Taxpayer 
Protection Act includes provisions maintaining a 2006 compromise 
protecting the Eastern Gulf of Mexico from offshore oil drilling. These 
limitations protect the military areas off the coast of Florida, as 
well as Florida's tourism and fishing industries.
  I am pleased that this bill protects Florida's coast from expanded 
offshore oil drilling, much to the dismay of the oil men in the White 
House and corrupt Interior Department officials who were accepting 
gifts from the oil companies they regulate. Drilling off Florida's 
coast only further subjects our beaches to oil spills that become 
exacerbated by hurricane damage and contributes to global climate 
change. Although the struggle to maintain the existing protections for 
Florida's coast is far from over, I promise to be the last man standing 
in the fight to prevent expanded offshore oil drilling in Florida.

                          ____________________