[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12961]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                  HYDROPOWER FOR CLEAN AND SAFE ENERGY

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, we in the House will be marking up an 
energy policy this week, and part of this policy will include 
hydropower. Hydropower provides a clean and safe source of energy. 
Hydropower is the fourth largest source of total generation, making it 
an important part of America's energy supply mix. In addition to 
providing sustainable power at a low cost, hydropower production has 
significant environmental benefits. Hydropower production has no 
emissions. Every kilowatt of power that is produced from hydropower 
reduces the need to burn oil and coal to produce the same amount of 
energy.
  I am pleased that the Republican energy package will include elements 
to assure that we maximize the potential of our existing hydropower 
facilities. While we work to implement policies and strategies to 
conserve energy, we must also work to increase energy supply to keep 
pace with growing demand. Mr. Speaker, I believe that maximizing the 
benefits of our hydropower resources is an important part of meeting 
that challenge.

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