[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E870-E871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE DEEPWATER HORIZON TRAGEDY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 2010

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, nearly 1 month after the Deepwater Horizon 
oil spill began on April 20, oil continues to flow from the well, 
poisoning the Gulf and destroying the environment. The Deepwater 
Horizon Rig activities were considered by all to be a low risk drilling 
exploration. Such a classification sends chills up my spine given the 
countless riskier drilling ventures occurring along the coasts of this 
great Nation.
  While millions of Americans tune into the news to watch the 
destruction of the Gulf Coast, the environment, and the economy of that 
area, I think of the thoughtless, baseless, and cavalier Republican 
energy chants ``Drill Baby Drill.'' It echoes in the ears of the 
American public and anybody who cares about the Gulf Coast. Drill Baby 
Drill--what a farfetched plan given that the U.S. contains 2.2 percent 
of world oil reserves and consumes 25.9 percent of the world's oil 
consumption. You do not have to be a math scholar or a Nobel Prize 
economist to see the flaws of this strategy.
  We need to find alternative forms of energy. We must use America's 
great resource and brainpower to harness the sun and to harness the 
wind. We must find new ways to help us with our problems of energy 
which will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, protect our 
environment, and safeguard the flora and fauna.
  We will never be able to drill our way to energy independence. Rather 
than invoking our brawn, we must utilize our brains and innovate, as 
Americans have done for generations. Rather than throwing our limited 
Federal dollars at the feet of oil giants, let's invest in American 
ingenuity and create an American clean energy economy. Rather than 
sucking out every last drop of oil and coal beneath the earth's surface 
destroying the air we breathe and water we drink, let's utilize 
renewable energy sources like solar and wind that enhance our 
environment.
  The choice is clear--we can drill our way further into environmental 
destruction and oil dependence, or we can create a new energy economy 
that creates millions of jobs and protects the environment for future 
generations.
  Recently I introduced legislation that will do just that--the 10 
Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act. 
This legislation will create an estimated 1.35 million direct and 
indirect jobs, lower energy costs, strengthen the economy, and put 
America on the path to energy independence.

[[Page E871]]

  Madam Speaker, we have to find a new direction and be like America 
has been in the past, innovative and creative.

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