[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 28, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H8126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National 
Clean Energy Week and the benefits of alternative energy sources.
  National Clean Energy Week is a time to recognize and celebrate 
innovative policies that allow the United States to limit greenhouse 
gas emissions.
  Iowa leads the Nation in clean energy production, and Iowans are 
constantly seeking ways to make clean energy more affordable, 
accessible, and abundant. Just last year, the American Clean Power 
Association reported that over 50 percent of Iowa's electricity is 
generated by renewable sources, ranking it highest in the United 
States.
  Clean energy sources, including renewable fuels, organic materials, 
wind, and solar, create affordable electricity and power our 
transportation sector. Additionally, alternative energy sources bring 
jobs and revenue while allowing the United States to remain a global 
leader in energy production.
  Since taking office, I have advocated for conservative, climate-
friendly legislation that promotes alternative forms of energy. 
Consumers should always be provided with choices as it promotes 
competition for businesses and lowers the cost of goods and services, 
which is crucial now with record-high inflation.
  I have also introduced bipartisan legislation, such as the Biochar 
Research Network Act of 2022, to expand clean energy in the United 
States. This bill would create a national biochar research network, 
where the benefits of biochar can further be tested and explored. 
Research would include how well biochar works to sequester carbon, how 
biochar increases crop production, improves marginal soil health, 
improves water quality, and reduces the amount of fertilizers and 
pesticides regularly used. I was proud that Senator Grassley introduced 
the same bill in the U.S. Senate last week.
  Additionally, I have supported numerous bills, such as the Lower Food 
and Fuel Costs Act, which expands year-round E15, and the Home Front 
Energy Independence bill, which would prohibit the imports of petroleum 
from Russia while expanding production and availability of biofuels.
  Increasing domestic energy production and the use of biofuels would 
also help our allies around the world wean off from Russia's dirty oil 
and cut off the funding for the Russian war machine.
  Iowa's vast farmland is why alternative forms of energy like biofuels 
and wind and solar are successful. However, when determining our 
Nation's energy strategy, we must analyze geographic composure and 
natural resources in the area. Different geographical features allow 
for clean energy to succeed, such as solar in the Southwest, natural 
gas in Texas, hydropower in the Pacific Northwest, or nuclear energy in 
the South.
  As we continue pursuing clean energy production, I hope my colleagues 
will look to Iowa as an example of an any- and all-of-the-above 
approach. In order to leave a healthier planet for our children and 
grandchildren, we must enact policies that benefit a wide variety of 
energy sources where they work best and flexibility within the States 
to do so.
  I also wish a happy birthday to Kendyl Willox, who is an amazing 
health policy portfolio manager in our office. Happy birthday to 
Kendyl.

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