[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16257]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ENERGY ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4) to 
     enhance energy conservation, research and development and to 
     provide for security and diversity in the energy supply for 
     the American people, and for other purposes.

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, I am in support of this important 
legislation. I want to thank Chairman Thomas of the Ways and Means 
Committee, along with Chairman Tauzin, Chairman Hansen, and Chairman 
Boehlert for their efforts in getting this legislation to the floor 
today.
  I would like to speak in support of two specific provision included 
in H.R. 4. I am pleased that this legislation includes the provisions 
of a bill I introduced on June 13, 2001, the Save America's Valuable 
Resources Act (H.R. 2147). These provisions create a $2,000 tax credit 
for individuals and businesses to encourage homeowners, builders and 
contractors to make energy efficiency improvements to homes.
  In order to qualify for the credit, homes must be made 30% more 
energy efficient according to the International Energy Conservation 
Code, a private sector energy code used in the United States. Except 
for the first $1,000 in expenditures which are exempt from 
certification requirements, energy efficiency improvements must be 
certified by a utility company, a local building regulatory authority, 
a manufactured home production inspection primary inspection agency or 
other specified entity to ensure that real and significant efficiency 
improvements are made.
  In 1998, homes accounted for nearly 20% of all of the energy consumed 
in the United States. Today, it costs the average American $1500 to 
heat and cool their homes every year, which amounts to a cost of $150 
billion nationwide annually. By simply making changes in energy 
efficiency to their homes, consumers can save real money. Consumers can 
save 10% or more on energy bills by simply reducing the number of air 
leaks in their home. Double pane windows with low emissivity coating 
can reduce heating bills by 34% in cold climates like Chicago. If all 
households upgraded their insulation to meet the International Energy 
Conservation Code level, the nation would experience a permanent 
reduction of annual electric consumption totaling 7% of the total 
consumed.
  I would also like to offer my support for the extension of the tax 
credit for wind energy. Currently, the wind energy tax credit expires 
on January 1, 2002, H.R. 4 extends the availability of this credit 
through January 1, 2007. I have been a long time supporter of the wind 
energy tax credit and other similar incentives to utilize new and 
efficient energy sources.
  Mr. Chairman, thank you again for allowing me to offer my support for 
this important legislation. I encourage my colleagues to join me in 
support of this bill.

                          ____________________