[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 101 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   LOWERING GASOLINE PRICES TO FUEL AN AMERICA THAT WORKS ACT OF 2014

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                               speech of

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2014

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4899) to 
     lower gasoline prices for the American family by increasing 
     domestic onshore and offshore energy exploration and 
     production, to streamline and improve onshore and offshore 
     energy permitting and administration, and for other purposes:

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 4899, the Lowering 
Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014, to move the 
process forward and support U.S. energy independence and security, 
although I remain strongly opposed to one provision included in this 
bill.
  This concerning provision was drawn from an amendment to H.R. 1965, 
the Federal Lands, Jobs, and Energy Security Act, which I opposed, and 
would call for the Secretary of the Interior to develop plans to allow 
for the construction of new power lines ``across Federal lands to 
ensure that energy produced can be distributed to areas of need.'' Some 
may consider this to be noncontroversial, but I have fought the impact 
of similar language for a number of years. I am privileged to represent 
Virginia's ``hallowed grounds,'' where so many important events and 
battles in American history took place, and I simply cannot support 
efforts to construct new power lines through our area--particularly 
power lines that would ship energy to other parts of the country. 
That's why I opposed PATH and why I opposed TrAIL. Cedar Creek and Bell 
Grove National Historic Park and Manassas National Battlefield Park are 
just a few areas in our region that could be impacted by this 
provision.
  While my vote reflects my support for the other elements in this 
energy security bill, I will not be able to support any conferenced 
final bill if it contains this troubling provision.

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