[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 85 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1023]
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. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    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. ISRAEL. Mr. Chair, I rise to oppose attempts to weaken energy 
efficiency standards for lighting that were included in the bipartisan 
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Plain and simple--these 
attempts to do away with energy efficiency standards will hurt our 
competitive advantage against China.
  America's lighting industry has invested millions of dollars to 
manufacture new energy efficient incandescent light bulbs here in the 
United States. These bulbs produce the same type of light as the former 
bulbs but use 28 percent to 33 percent less energy. An amendment to 
prohibit enforcement of the energy efficiency standards is an attack on 
our domestic lighting industry. Denying the Department of Energy the 
power to enforce an existing law opens the door to the importation of 
non-compliant products from foreign manufacturers that will not only 
harm the investments made by American manufacturers but put American 
jobs at risk.
  The current lighting efficiency standards are creating American jobs 
because the manufacturing of these light bulbs is done in the United 
States. Most of the operations producing less efficient lighting were 
moved offshore years ago. We are creating American jobs making better 
light bulbs that meet the new standards. The energy-efficient lighting 
industry currently employs more than 14,000 American workers. I do not 
want to send those jobs to China!
  The light bulb has been a symbol of American ingenuity since the late 
1800s. When Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, it revolutionized 
our economy and electricity around the world. If America wants to lead, 
we need to become more efficient. That is the way of the future.
  Supporting America's energy-efficient lighting industry is about more 
than jobs. It's about saving money, saving each American household $100 
per year in the form of lower electric bills. I know my constituents 
want that $100 in their pockets.
  That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing any amendment 
that would prohibit the Department of Energy from utilizing energy 
efficiency standards for lighting to help save money and energy while 
supporting U.S. manufacturing.

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