[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        AMERICAN ENERGY POLICIES

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, since this Chamber last met, there has been 
some good news regarding American energy. Over the past 2 weeks, gas 
prices have been dropping, providing some relief for Labor Day 
travelers.
  Just this week a group of oil companies announced a discovery of a 
petroleum reserve that could increase America's proven reserves by as 
much as 50 percent. This is good news, Mr. Speaker. But more can be 
done.
  This year alone, the House has passed several meaningful bills aimed 
at boosting our domestic energy supply. In May we authorized 
environmentally responsible energy exploration in Alaska. In June we 
passed legislation to streamline the process for building new 
refineries in our country. We also authorized access to the enormous 
reserves known to exist off our coast on the Outer Continental Shelf.
  Mr. Speaker, the House has a strong record on energy independence. 
But there are only a limited number of days left on the calendar. Now 
it is time for the Senate to take action on these bills and keep the 
good energy news coming for the American consumer.

                          ____________________