[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    INVESTING IN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

  (Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, last summer's run-up in gasoline prices 
highlighted for all of us the challenges that face our Nation because 
we have not embraced a wide range of our own energy resources. With 
that premise in mind, I've joined with my Republican and Democrat 
colleagues to craft an energy bill that will invest in alternative 
energy, promote new technology and encourage conservation--all without 
raising taxes on consumers.
  Instead of penalizing domestic energy production with a national 
energy tax like the one moving through our Energy and Commerce 
Committee, we need to use our royalties from offshore energy 
exploration to fund investments in new cleaner energy technologies. 
That means renewable, nuclear, environmental restoration and clean 
water efforts.
  In addition, this bill reflects the fact that coal is one of our most 
abundant resources. Based on current energy prices, we could see up to 
$220 billion to invest in clean coal reserves from royalty revenue from 
this bill.
  Simply put, this bill helps us cleanly take advantage of our immense 
domestic resources and provides incentives for lower emissions without 
imposing a burdensome national energy tax on everyday consumers. 
Remember, energy policy has real costs for real people.

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