[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30458]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6, ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to vote against the 
conference report to H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2003.
  It is a sad day in America for today Congress has passed up an 
historic opportunity to craft an energy policy for the 21st century. 
The legislation we are voting on could have been an honest, bipartisan 
effort to halt America's growing dependence on fossil fuels for energy. 
It could have been focused on new technologies, energy efficiency, 
renewable energy, and the research and development that could produce 
the breakthroughs that would power the world of tomorrow. Instead, this 
bill is stuck in the past. Modeled after the energy plan developed by 
Vice President Cheney's secret energy committee, H.R. 6 reflects the 
philosophy that there is no energy problem that cannot be solved with 
another oil well.
  I have no objection with supporting some new or additional oil and 
gas exploration or production because, until we develop the energy 
alternatives of the future, we must continue to meet our oil and gas 
needs. However, it must be done responsibly. Sacrificing environmental 
protection for petroleum production is not responsible. Exposing our 
great natural treasures, especially the North Carolina coastline, to 
exploitation and possible degradation is not responsible. And placing 
the vast majority of economic incentives that H.R. 6 offers toward more 
fossil fuel production, instead of energy efficiency and research into 
new technologies, is not responsible.
  H.R. 6 provides $23.5 billion in tax breaks over the next 10 years, 
the majority of that for oil and gas production. That's billions in tax 
breaks for energy companies paid for by our children and grandchildren. 
I could support some tax incentives for new sources of energy, but this 
Administration's economic record has already created a more than $400 
billion budget deficit. I cannot support more debt for future 
generations to pay off. The Senate version of the energy bill offered 
ways to pay for these tax breaks, but the Republican leadership struck 
them. Why are the Republicans so opposed to fiscal responsibility?
  Not all of the bill's provisions are bad. I am pleased with the 
provisions on ethanol. They will provide new markets for corn growers 
and help reduce harmful emissions. The ban on the fuel additive methyl 
tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) will also help ethanol users while keeping 
more MTBE from seeping into the Nation's water supply. But H.R. 6 
provides liability protection for MTBE manufacturers. So when somebody 
gets sick because their products got into the water supply, these 
companies cannot be held accountable. That's just plain wrong.
  Like the Vice President's energy plan, this bill was developed by 
Republican leaders behind closed doors without concern for the needs of 
consumers. Republicans are demanding that this House vote on a 1000+ 
page bill after having less than a day to review it. How many of our 
constituents would sign a 1000 page contract after having barely a day 
to read it? None. That's why organizations like the Carolina Utility 
Customers Association--composed of North Carolina companies like Bayer 
Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, Lorillard Tobacco, and R.J. Reynolds 
Tobacco--oppose H.R. 6. To quote their letter, ``While H.R. 6 contains 
positive aspects, the fact remains that many questions need to be asked 
and adequately answered before this bill is passed. It is simply unwise 
to hastily pass a bill without fully understanding its impact.''
  Unfortunately, the Republican congressional leadership wasted an 
opportunity to develop a prudent energy policy. I must oppose H.R. 6.

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