[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMPREHENSIVE AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2008

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I remain frustrated that Congress has yet to 
arrive at a compromise to ensure a majority vote in both chambers on a 
comprehensive energy package. There is a finite supply of oil and 
increasing global demand, and this picture will not change. For this 
reason, I believe that all solutions are essential in any compromise 
legislation striving to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil, so 
that future generations are not faced with the same energy problems. It 
is my goal to continue to work toward a compromise package, which can 
be signed into law, to deliver the relief the American public needs now 
and an energy policy for the 21st Century.
  New domestic offshore drilling has been the subject of much debate 
over the last few months. With Delaware's coastline and tourism economy 
in mind I have been cautions about any new drilling that could have a 
negative impact. However, I do believe that additional domestic oil and 
gas production on a limited basis and carried out in an environmentally 
sound manner is realistic, so that American dollars no longer go 
overseas to in some cases unfriendly nations. Coupled with this must be 
a sincere commitment to invest in renewable energy development and 
energy efficiency measures. It is this way that we will improve our 
national security, help address climate change, improve American 
competitiveness, and create jobs.
  Today I voted to support maintaining a ban on oil and gas development 
up to 50 miles off our coastlines, to allow drilling between 50 and 100 
miles offshore if states give the green light, and to allow the federal 
government to permit drilling from 100 to 200 miles offshore in the 
Outer Continental Shelf. The bill ensures drilling happens in a way 
that protects ``coastal environment, marine environment, and human 
environment of state coastal areas and the Outer Continental Shelf.'' A 
strong protective barrier between our coastlines and where new drilling 
could begin is important for protecting sensitive coastal habitat and 
the tourism industry Delaware. A sustainable federal funding mechanism 
for conservation and alternative and renewable energy initiatives, 
which this bill includes, is critical, but I also support revenue 
sharing with the states, including impacted neighboring states, which 
this legislation unfortunately omits.
  As for renewable energy production and energy efficiency measures, 
which I have supported many times in the last few months, the bill 
provides $19 billion over ten years in tax incentives. Included in this 
is a short-term extension of the production tax credit for renewable 
energy production, like wind facilities, critical for states like 
Delaware pushing offshore wind projects. We must continue strive for 
longer-term incentives. To pay for the continued investment in these 
important measures, the bill requires U.S. oil companies to renegotiate 
leases and pay royalty payments and repeals certain tax incentives at a 
time of record profits. The legislation also includes a requirement 
that power companies generate 15 percent of their energy from renewable 
sources by 2020, which I have previously supported.
  The measure also allows leasing federal lands for oil shale 
production, only if states like Colorado, Utah and Wyoming allow it. 
While I believe alternative fuels are important to develop, I believe 
we should not make commercially available those that are more 
greenhouse gas intensive than conventional fuels.
  Other provisions included in the bill are tax incentives for coal 
projects that capture carbon, plug-in hybrid cars, and fueling stations 
for natural gas vehicles, and grants for public transportation 
agencies; requiring the U.S. Department of the Interior to offer oil 
and gas lease sales on the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska on an 
annual basis; encouraging completion of a new oil and gas pipeline to 
aid the transmission of supply; and reinstates the ban on the export of 
Alaskan oil. Additionally, this bill requires oil companies to 
``diligently develop'' all of their current leases for energy 
production or relinquish them. Finally, the legislation requires the 
government to release 70 million barrels of crude oil in exchange from 
the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Many of these provisions have been 
considered by the House in earlier iterations and I believe represent 
substantive small steps we can take now to make additional supply 
available and some of which could reduce prices immediately.
  My priority is promoting pragmatic solutions that cover a broader 
spectrum of energy policies, including intensifying development of 
alternatives, extending renewable and efficiency tax credits, 
implementing stronger efficiency standards, and encouraging more 
conservation. A comprehensive compromise energy policy is critical for 
our national security, public health, meeting the challenges of global 
warming, and bolstering the economy.
  There is no silver bullet and we must be willing to compromise. I 
hope that the House and Senate will now sit down and craft yet another 
compromise that we can deliver to the President as soon as possible.

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