[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 87 (Thursday, June 10, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S4788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                EPA RULE

  Mr. REID. Madam President, the Murkowski resolution, which we will 
take up soon, will increase pollution, increase our dependence on 
foreign oil, and stall our efforts to create jobs and, in so doing, 
stall our efforts to move to a clean energy economy.
  This resolution does nothing to create jobs in Nevada or anyplace 
else in our country. It does create jobs in places from where we are 
importing oil--the Middle East, Venezuela, places such as that--but not 
in our country.
  In fact, this resolution will damage the certainty and clarity that 
businesses want to invest in innovative and job-creating technologies 
that reduce pollution. This includes clean renewable power using the 
Sun, the wind, and geothermal energy.
  This resolution is not going to help bring us closer to providing 
more incentives for the production or use of clean-burning natural gas. 
This resolution is not going to help provide funding for Nevadans or 
Alaskans or any other State to cope with and adapt to a changing and 
increasingly unfriendly climate.
  Forcing this vote seems to be a largely partisan political ploy 
designed to divide Democrats and Republicans and to pander to the 
dirty, just-say-no crowd. They want business as usual with no limits on 
their ability to pollute.
  The White House has made it clear that the Murkowski resolution would 
be vetoed if it passes. We all know, in fact, if it does pass and a 
veto is made, that it would be sustained.
  We also know that this resolution is a great big gift to big oil, at 
least 455 million more barrels of oil would be used, making at least 
$50 billion extra for the oil companies, and billions more if this 
resolution were to become law. And most of that oil will come from 
overseas. We know that.
  Is this the kind of business as usual the American people want? Of 
course not. No, the public wants companies to give them choices of 
cars, products, and fuels that are less polluting, affordable, and made 
in America, not from the Persian Gulf, China, or other places.
  This resolution is very much a choice about the future of our 
country. Do we want to return to the days when big oil and their 
friends, with OPEC's help, decided America's economic destiny or are we 
going to work together to solve the incredibly difficult problems posed 
by the way we produce and use energy? Are we going to work together to 
reduce pollution?
  I am convinced that we can pass strong, bipartisan legislation to 
create jobs, protect the environment, and make a safer and more secure 
future. But that would require the help of everyone in the Senate to be 
involved in a constructive engagement, and only a few have stepped 
forward. I hope that changes soon.
  Will the Chair announce the business before the Senate?

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