[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 158 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     ENERGY IS CRITICAL TO ECONOMY

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, America's energy is critical toward our 
economy, toward people of all income levels. Energy is the cornerstone 
of either a strong economy or a hyperinflation one like we are seeing 
now. Either government spending or the cost of energy or both are the 
reasons why we are where we are these days.
  Important things we could be doing are building more nuclear power 
plants and offering more hydroelectric power as well as natural gas, 
which we have so abundantly in this country.
  Now, there are a lot of people worried about CO2, which is 
only 0.04 percent of our atmosphere, but let's play along for a moment: 
nuclear energy, zero CO2; hydroelectric power, zero 
CO2.
  What do we have happening? They are trying to, and successfully in my 
district, get rid of hydroelectric dams that are already built and make 
low-cost, 24/7 power.
  They are after nuclear power plants until recently. California just 
got a 
5-year extension on its nuclear power plant. Otherwise, it was slated 
to close in 2024 and 2025 its two reactors.
  We can't afford to lose energy that is 24/7 available power for our 
economy, for our sustenance. We need to build more.

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