[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 65 (Thursday, May 12, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H3228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        AMERICAN CONSERVATION AND CLEAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Costa) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join in with my colleagues in 
the introduction of legislation that we will be discussing later this 
afternoon: the Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act of 2011.
  First of all, I would like to thank my colleagues who spoke a moment 
ago, Congressman Tim Murphy and Congressman Tim Walz, both who talked 
so importantly on the need to get our Nation's energy house in order.
  Since the long gas lines of 1973, policymakers on both sides of the 
aisle have attempted various efforts to pursue an energy policy that 
would reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. And what has 
been lacking through all of those efforts since 1973 is a long-term 
plan that has bipartisan buy-in which we can stick to both in the near 
term and longer term to reach those goals. Why hasn't it happened? 
Because, unfortunately, too often here in these Chambers the lost art 
of the political compromise has gone away.
  But today, with the introduction of the bipartisan Infrastructure 
Jobs and Energy Independence Act of 2011, we have an opportunity to 
come together as a House, to come together as a Nation. This is what 
the Bipartisan Energy Working Group has done over the last few months 
to really put together a piece of legislation that reflects past 
efforts, commonsense ideas that will enhance our path toward energy 
independence and national security through the following means. First, 
it would increase the production of domestic oil and gas on the Outer 
Continental Shelf. It would also increase sources of alternative energy 
utilizing clean energy technologies whenever possible. In addition to 
that, it would dedicate a fixed percentage of the royalties that we 
receive from oil and gas that is derived from Federal lands both 
onshore and offshore, the second-largest source of revenue to our 
Nation's Treasury, to the following purposes:
  First of all, it would invest in our infrastructure revitalization 
and renewal that provides more jobs that are sorely needed. It would 
invest in conservation programs. It would invest in environmental 
restoration projects. It would invest so importantly in renewable 
energy research and development so that once again we can regain the 
lead around the world. It would invest in clean energy technology as 
well as increasing development of existing as well as traditional 
energy sources, like improving our transmission lines. And it would 
provide energy assistance for those most in need. Sharing a portion of 
such royalties with producing States also would provide an incentive 
for those States. And it would increase the diversification and 
efficiency of America's transportation system, among other things.
  As a Nation, we must work together toward realistic energy policy. At 
the end of the day, we cannot afford to take any energy sources off the 
table. As many of you know, I am a firm believer in using all of the 
energy tools in our Nation's energy toolbox. And that's what we need to 
do. Conventional energy, together with renewable resources and a 
strategy for energy conservation, will best serve our long-term energy 
needs--the best management practices our Nation has to offer.
  As we create new comprehensive energy policy to reduce our dependency 
on foreign sources of energy, reducing our dependence on those nations, 
it will make a big difference in America. I believe it's important for 
us to understand and agree to realistic transitional timelines as we 
embark upon this bipartisan energy policy both in the near term and the 
long term.
  Finally, I look forward to cooperating and collaborating again with 
the members of the Bipartisan Energy Working Group and other Members of 
Congress to address ways in which our Nation's energy sources can best 
be utilized to help us secure that balanced energy future in the 21st 
century, which is what all Americans want us to do. I believe this 
legislation that we will introduce this afternoon will put us along 
that path for a long-term secure energy future for America in the 21st 
century.

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