[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E988-E989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5325) making 
     appropriations for energy and water development and related 
     agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and 
     for other purposes:

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Chair, since late 2009, the Army Corps of Engineers 
has been working on a study of the Great Lakes and Mississippi 
Interbasin--
  ``To evaluate options and technologies to prevent the spread of 
aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi 
River.''
  Recently, the Corps indicated this study may not be completed until 
March 2016.
  When it comes to aquatic invasive species, 7 years is 7 years too 
long.
  Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio introduced and passed an amendment to 
the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, ensuring that the 
Corps finishes their study no later than July 1, 2014.
  Further, the amendment ensures that the Corps fully examines the 
feasibility of all options, including permanent hydrological 
separation.
  I can't help but stand here today and express my sincere 
disappointment for the missed opportunities in the legislative vehicle 
before us.
  The Energy and Water Appropriations bill that we consider on the 
House floor this week is not only missing this vital amendment, but its 
priorities are way out of whack.
  The bill increases funding for the Nation's nuclear weapons 
stockpile, as well as for fossil fuels programs and nuclear energy 
research and development.
  Meanwhile, funding would be reduced for a wide range of very 
important activities including: Army Corps of Engineers projects, 
Energy

[[Page E989]]

Department science programs, advanced energy research, defense and non-
defense environmental cleanup activities, nuclear non-proliferation 
programs, and most renewable energy programs (including solar, wind, 
water and geothermal programs).
  But, to the point at hand--the Great Lakes and the terrifying 
prospect that we might continue standing still on this issue of 
invasive species prevention.
  First and foremost, I must recognize the hard work and bipartisan 
effort from the Senators, including Senator Durbin, and am hopeful that 
this provision is preserved throughout the appropriations process.
  After all, this amendment does not tell anybody what to do.
  It simply recognizes the urgency of the Asian carp threat to the 
Great Lakes and compels the Corps to quicken its study of solutions in 
the face of a potential catastrophe that no one wants.
  The Great Lakes make up 20 percent of our fresh water and are home to 
a fishing and boating industry worth 7 billion dollars annually.
  The Lakes are a priceless treasure for the millions of people who 
live in the region.
  We must do all we can to encourage a speedy creation of an action 
plan to block Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes.
  In 1998 the late Senator Paul Simon predicted wars would be fought 
over water.
  Let us not pretend this is near as drastic as war.
  But, at the same time, let us not neglect or fail to acknowledge that 
the importance of today's actions will weigh heavily on the successes 
of tomorrow. I urge the Committees to preserve and protect Senator 
Brown's amendment and hope that the final Energy and Water package 
looks far better for our land, air and water than it does today.

                          ____________________