[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 41 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mr. Merkley):
  S. 612. A bill to amend the Energy Policy and Confirmation Act to 
require the Secretary of Energy to develop and implement a strategic 
petroleum demand response plan to reduce the consumption of petroleum 
products by the Federal Government; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation with 
Senator Merkley that will provide the President of the United States 
with emergency powers to aggressively reduce the Federal Government's 
demand for energy.
  The Strategic Petroleum Demand Response Act will be an additional 
tool to address rapidly rising energy prices by reducing our country's 
demand for oil. The political instability in the Middle East reminds us 
that this region, which holds the largest reserves of oil in the world, 
has had profound implications on our country's economy by dramatically 
affecting the price of oil. Although the attention has been on 
potential supply disruption, our country also consumes nearly 17 
million barrels of oil per day and through aggressive measures the 
Federal Government can lead our country in reducing its energy bill, 
curtailing its consumption of oil, and reducing the price of oil for 
consumers.
  As we encounter these price spikes, some have called for a release of 
oil from our country's strategic petroleum reserve. The fact is prior 
to releasing our country's strategic reserves we must develop policies 
that prioritize the Federal Government's consumption of these critical 
oil supplies. The Federal Government can reduce nonemergency travel, 
reduce congestion on the roads by providing flexible work hours, 
decrease the use of oil in heating and cooling buildings, and work with 
local and state governments to cut consumption as well. We must develop 
a strategic petroleum strategy that reflects the fact that prices are 
dictated by both supply and demand and the Strategic Petroleum Demand 
Response Act will address the demand side of the equation.
  Since the start of the year the price for West Texas Intermediate has 
increased by 16 percent and the week of February 28 encountered the 
second highest net increase in gasoline prices in our country's 
history. While I strongly believe that we need to develop specific 
long-term strategies that build on the success of fuel economy 
standards and reduce our consumption of oil, this legislation will 
allow the President to take immediate and decisive action to address 
any energy crisis through both supply and demand.
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