[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12500]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  MAKING AMERICA MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I listened to my colleague from 
Louisiana's impassioned point, and I happen to agree that there are 
things we need to do with this devastating coastal erosion in 
Louisiana. But the way that we go about that and the way we deal with 
some of our significant energy problems is not simply ritually 
repassing an inadequate and failed energy policy that has already 
stalled in the other body.
  It does not have to be this hard. We do not have to hold good ideas 
hostage. The wind energy production tax credit would pass in a 
heartbeat; energy grid reliability would be massively supported; 
increased fuel efficiency standards are long overdue; and, yes, maybe 
even some assistance for the coastal erosion.
  Hopefully, after we get past this week's ritual repassage and the 
beating of our gums, I hope the House will return to enact simple, 
common sense proposals that will make America more energy efficient 
without compromising the environment, and make our families safer, 
healthier and more economically secure.

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