[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 24]
[House]
[Pages 32483-32496]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT OF 2007
Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, to close debate on the minority
side, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished minority leader from the
Buckeye State of Ohio, the Honorable John Boehner.
Mr. BOEHNER. I appreciate my colleague for yielding, and Ohio State
will be in the national championship on January 7. And we look forward
to dealing with our colleagues from Louisiana.
Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, there has been a lot said on the floor
today about the national energy crisis that we face. We know that it
jeopardizes our national security, we know that it jeopardizes our own
economy and American jobs here at home, and this is an issue that the
American people are very concerned about. We have got rising gasoline
prices. We have got home heating oil prices and gas prices for this
winter that are really going to hurt the American families' budget. So
we have a crisis that deserves our response and our collective efforts.
But what we have here today is a bill that was written in secret,
written by a handful of people on the majority side in each Chamber
that we didn't see until last night. Nobody knows what is in this bill
because nobody has had time to read it.
One thing that is in here that I think is something that certainly
will be useful is the CAFE agreement that Mr. Dingell and others
reached that will give us more efficient cars in the future and done in
a practical way to help domestic manufacturers and the consumers in
America who are going to have to pay for this.
But we know what is not in it. There is nothing in here that is going
to lower gasoline prices in America. There is nothing in here that is
going to help American families deal with the heating costs they are
going to have this winter. There is nothing here in this bill that is
going to increase domestic production of energy. And at the end of the
day, if we are very serious about solving the energy crisis in America,
we have got to deal with conservation. We have got to deal with
alternative sources of fuel. We have to deal with increased production
here in the United States, and my goodness, why won't we talk about
nuclear energy on the floor of the House of Representatives of the
United States when we know that it is the cleanest source of fuel for
our future? But it is not in here.
Now, I did find some other things that were in this bill. Earmarks.
Oh, yeah, we have to have earmarks. If we are going to move a piece of
legislation, we have to take care of a few people. So I found $161
million in here for the Plum Creek Timber Company's Montana land
holdings for native fish habitat conservation. I didn't know that fish
lived in trees. We have $2 billion earmark in here from our good friend
from New York City to help New York develop a rail line from the JFK
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Airport to Lower Manhattan. That's something I am sure my constituents
want to pay for.
One of the better issues in here, though, is the $3 billion slush
fund, $3 billion of our money that we are going to give to cities and
counties around America for green projects, except the definition is so
wide that they can do almost anything, like some city can decide they
are going to finance Al Gore's speaking tour to promote his book, ``An
Inconvenient Truth,'' or maybe Beverly Hills will replace their police
cars with Lexus hybrids. Certainly it would count if you look at the
bill. We could be buying some energy-efficient hybrid snowmobiles for
Aspen or Snowmass or any of those places. All that would be allowed
under this provision. Or we can even use some of this money to finish
the rain forest that we are building in Iowa. This is not where the
American people want their money to go to.
Although this is not an earmark, what I really liked in the bill was
the $240 tax credit that we are going to provide every 15 months for
people who regularly ride their bike to work for the purchase, repair
or storage of their bicycle. Now, amongst us, I know there is one of my
colleagues that would probably benefit from this. I hope he is going to
recuse himself when we vote. This is not going to solve America's
energy problem. I think that we ought to get serious as a country about
energy independence and saving our future and the future for our kids.
But while we are here dealing with this bill that doesn't frankly do
much and will not solve our problem, think about what we haven't done.
You know Christmas is right around the corner for some of you that
haven't realized it. The majority leader said yesterday that we would
be out by next Friday. The gentleman from Maryland yesterday, the
majority leader, said we would be out by December 14. Now, first, I
wanted to say ``Ha-Ha-Ha,'' but then I began to realize we are close to
Christmas so I thought, well, ``Ho-Ho-Ho'' might be more appropriate.
Now there is not a chance that that is going to happen.
We haven't dealt with the AMT problem. We are about to put 23 million
Americans under the alternative minimum tax that have never been there
before. We have not done anything to fund our troops or our veterans
that are about to run out of money. Men and women in the military, in
Afghanistan and in Iraq, are out there fighting to protect the American
people. We have not dealt with that funding. We have not dealt with 11
of the 12 appropriation bills that should have been done by October
but, you know, we were going to get them done by Thanksgiving, and here
it is, December 6, my wife's birthday, Ray LaHood's birthday, December
6, and we still haven't done 11 of the 12 appropriations bills. Yet
none of this is finished at a time when we ought to be getting serious
about getting our work done.
So I would ask my colleagues, let's get serious about energy
independence. Let's get serious about what we need to do as a nation to
solve the future for our kids and theirs. And until we get serious, I
think we should vote ``no'' on this bill.
But I would implore my colleagues to also realize that our
constituents are looking for us, our families are going to be looking
for us soon, and it is time for us to wrap up our work but get our work
finished, because the American people expect it.
{time} 1500
Mr. BOUCHER. Mr. Speaker, to close debate on our side, I am pleased
now to recognize for 1 minute the very distinguished Speaker of the
House of Representatives, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, this is a very important day for our
country, a day in which this Congress can declare itself a Congress for
the future, a Congress for America's children.
Earlier today, some of you saw me reference this baseball signed by
Bobby Thomson: ``The shot heard round the world,'' October 3, 1951, a
historic day in baseball. When he signed this baseball, he referenced a
phrase used by Ralph Waldo Emerson referencing the shot fired at
Concord, which began the Revolutionary War, the fight for American
independence. If Bobby Thomson could reference a shot heard round the
world, we should indeed be able to do it today. This vote on this
legislation will be a shot heard round the world for energy
independence for America.
I want to thank some of the people who made this possible. As many of
you know, at the beginning of this Congress, our Chairs of the
appropriate committees were tasked to prepare legislation to be ready
to be introduced by the Fourth of July, our Independence Day. They did
so, and on June 30, in preparation for the Fourth of July weekend, we
introduced our legislation.
I want to begin by thanking Mr. Dingell for his exceptional
leadership as Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill is
about America's national security. Mr. Dingell has always been about
that. He has dedicated his life, starting in World War II, in his
public service for our country. Thank you, Mr. Dingell.
Another great veteran in this arena, Mr. Rangel, a veteran of the
Korean War, was an important part of this legislation with the pay-fors
from the Ways and Means Committee. Thank you, Mr. Rangel.
Earlier you heard from Mr. Oberstar and the important work he is
doing with the greening of America's Federal buildings and many other
resources. Thank you, Mr. Oberstar. Mr. Waxman of Oversight and
Government reform; Mr. Miller of Education and Labor, where we are
having our green jobs initiative; Mr. Rahall from Natural Resources,
making an important contribution to this legislation; Mr. Lantos from
Foreign Affairs; Mr. Gordon from Science, the Science and Technology
Committee has been central to this legislation; Mr. Peterson from the
Agriculture Committee. America's farmers will fuel America's
independence. We will send our energy dollars to the Midwest, not the
Middle East. Congresswoman Velazquez from Small Business, where small
businesses will be the incubator of this new economy. Thank you,
Chairwoman Velazquez. And Congressman Markey of the Select Committee,
thank you also for your tremendous leadership for over 30 years on this
issue.
I mention all of my colleagues, these chairmen, not only to salute
them, but to say they started a process over a series of months where
practically every member of these 11 committees of Congress had an
opportunity, Democrats and Republicans alike, to weigh in on the
initial legislation, which was introduced in time for the Fourth of
July, as promised, and which was passed by this Congress in the first
week of August; and it is the follow-up on that legislation that we are
voting on today.
It is a part of our first 100 hours. As we near the end of this
session of Congress, we can harken back to that first 100 hours, our
Six for '06. Our first piece of legislation was about how we protect
America, passing the 9/11 Commission recommendations. I am so pleased
that that was passed with strong bipartisan support in this House and
was signed by the President.
The minimum wage was passed with strong bipartisan support in this
House of Representatives and was signed by the President.
Making college affordable, the biggest package for college
affordability since the GI Bill of Rights in 1944, passed by the
Congress, signed into law by the President.
The biggest legislation for ethics reform in the history of the
Congress, bipartisan majority, strong overwhelming support, and signed
into law.
In the course of time, passing Mr. Gordon's bill, our commitment to
competitiveness to keep America number one, the Innovation Agenda, the
COMPETES Act, overwhelming majority, bipartisan majority, signed into
law by the President.
I mention all of these because they have bearing on what we are doing
today. It is about our national security, it is about jobs and the
economic security of our country. It is about the environment, and
therefore it is a health issue. It is a moral issue. With
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all that I have said, that is why we have scientists and evangelicals,
we have business and labor, we have the environmental community, all
strongly supporting this legislation.
And here are some of the reasons why. I will give you their words.
Over 20 generals have signed a letter saying that we have to move in
this direction in terms of reversing global warming. But, very
specifically, the other day we heard from Admiral Denny McGinn, and he
said this: ``Our dependence on foreign oil is a clear and present
danger to Americans. Your vote for tough fuel economy standards is a
vote for increasing our safety and our well-being.'' This is a national
security issue.
It is an issue that relates to our environment and therefore the
health of our children. That is why the Pew Charitable Trusts for Fuel
Efficiency wrote: ``If the House and Senate finally approve this and
the President signs it, they will have done more for consumers at the
pump than any Congress or administration since the 1970s.'' They were
referencing also the fact that the consumers will save $700 to $1,000
as a result of this bill, per year. And over a period of time until
2020, they will save $22 billion. That is why the Consumer Federation
of America is supporting this bill. It is about American jobs.
The president of the Alliance of American Automobile Manufacturers
wrote: ``We believe this tough, national fuel economy bill will be good
for both consumers and energy security. We support its passage.''
I could submit for the record a long list of representatives of the
business and labor community who are supporting this legislation.
And labor, the legislative director of the UAW, Alan Reuther, says:
``We believe that this historic measure will provide substantial energy
security and environmental benefits for our Nation while protecting and
expanding jobs for our workers.''
The list goes on. National security, jobs, the environment, the
health of our children, and the future of this planet, as well as the
consumer benefits. It is, again, a historic day because it has been so
long since we have come to the place where we are, as has been said,
over 30 years since we have addressed this issue in this substantial
way in the Congress of the United States.
The point of this is, are we about the past or are we about the
future? I hope that we can have strong bipartisan support for this
legislation. We were able to accomplish in this 12-month period, as Mr.
Emanuel said, in this 12-month period, what was not done in 32 years in
the Congress of the United States.
So, my friends, I ask you to think about this vote and take great
pride when you cast a ``yes'' vote. Many of you are far away from your
legacy, but when that day comes, I hope you will consider this day a
part of that legacy when you made history in this Congress of the
United States. And not only did you make history; you made progress for
the American people. They are watching to see what we do. This
legislation is as immediate to them as the price at the pump that they
face when they fill up their tanks. It is as immediate to them as
heating their homes. It is as global as preserving this planet.
If you believe, as do I, and I think all of us do, that this is God's
creation and we have a moral responsibility to preserve it, that is why
we have strong support from the religious community, including the
evangelical community, then I hope you will take this act of faith
today to make history and to make progress for the American people,
especially to declare this the Children's Congress.
Thank you, my colleagues. I urge a ``yes'' vote.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 6 and am excited Congress is
considering legislation that finally recognizes the energy demand
course we are on is simply unsustainable if we do not take control of
our over-consumption.
The fact is, with only 3 percent of the world's oil but 25 percent of
its use, the U.S. can never drill our way to energy security. I am glad
to be supporting policy that reduces the demand for oil by emphasizing
conservation. Only by creating a forward-looking energy policy that
reduces demand for energy, and in particular oil, will we be able to
lower gas prices.
I am pleased this bill requires a fleetwide corporate average fuel
economy standards for cars, sport utility vehicles, work trucks, and
medium and heavy duty trucks of 35 miles per gallon for cars and SUVs
by 2020. In my view, this is the least we can do. While I would prefer
to attain a higher standard sooner, I am pleased we are taking the
first congressionally mandated increase since 1975.
I believe raising CAFE standards is one of the most significant steps
we can take as a nation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,
improve our national security, and protect our environment and economy.
Even a modest increase in CAFE standards would save more oil than would
be produced by drilling in the Arctic National Refuge.
I am also very grateful that the legislation will build a market for
renewable energy and alternative fuels. Requiring at least 15 percent
of electricity be produced from clean, renewable sources of energy like
wind and solar by 2020 seems common-sense to me, and the 36 billion
gallons of biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, to be blended with
gasoline by 2022 should make us less dependent on the Middle East for
oil.
I also believe the extension of important tax credits for renewable
energy production including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass
technologies will continue advances being made in these fields.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, last November, the American people voted
for change. They were frustrated with the direction our nation was
taking and felt that we needed to set a new course. I am so proud to
stand before you to say to my colleagues and most importantly the
American people, that today we begin to chart that new course on energy
policy.
For the first time in over 30 years, the House of Representatives
will pass a significant energy bill--one that reduces our dependence on
foreign oil. Our addiction to oil has compromised our national security
and causes tremendous damage to our environment.
While there are many things to be proud about in this bill, there are
two that I would like to highlight. The first is the new fuel economy
standard. Today, the average price of gasoline in the United States is
well above three dollars. This puts a tremendous strain on the American
people, who in many instances have no option aside from driving to get
to work or bring their children to school. Today we pass a bill that
raises fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for new
cars. This provision alone will save American families between $700 and
$1000 per year, by making their cars run more efficiently. It will also
reduce oil consumption by 1.1 million gallons per day in 2020,
approximately half of what we import from the Persian Gulf. This will
reduce our dependence on oil which comes from the Middle East and
politically unstable nations.
In addition to raising CAFE standards, the Energy Independence and
Security Act also makes a commitment to integrate renewable energy
sources into our supply. This commitment comes at precisely the right
moment for America. We are at the precipice of developing new
technology that will allow our nation to produce alternative energy
more efficiently. In order for this development to be realized,
however, we must guarantee a demand for the product. That is why the
inclusion of a renewable portfolio standard is so important. It creates
the demand necessary to spur development. The bill requires utility
companies to generate 15 percent of electricity from renewable sources
by 2020. This will mean major investment in products made throughout
the country, like ethanol in my home state, wind farms in California,
and solar harnessing technology in Florida that will create new jobs
and facilitate economic growth.
As important as the Energy Independence and Security Act is, it is
just the first step and the road in front of us is long. We need an
energy program that matches the scale of the threat we face. We will
continue to build on the momentum we are creating and I look forward to
the day when I can stand before you and say that the United States is
completely energy independent.
In conclusion I would like to thank the Speaker and Chairman Dingell
for their leadership on this bill throughout the process. We would not
be here today without them.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of The
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This agreement with the
Senate builds on the New Direction for Energy Independence, National
Security, and Consumer Protection Act passed this summer. The ambitious
legislation before us today,
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which includes wide-ranging solutions from 10 House committees, invests
in the future of America and puts our nation on a path towards energy
independence. It will strengthen national security, lower energy costs,
grow our economy, create new jobs, and begin to reduce the threat of
global warming.
With this legislation, Congress is taking groundbreaking steps to
address the crisis of climate change. The bill will increase the
efficiency of our vehicles. It makes an historic commitment to
American-grown biofuels and requires that 15 percent of our electricity
come from renewable sources. The legislation strengthens energy
efficiency for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting and
buildings. It also repeals tax breaks for big oil companies, and
invests that money in clean renewable energy and new American
technologies. Not only will these measures reduce our dependence on
foreign oil and grow our economy, they will also save consumers
billions of dollars.
The Energy Independence and Security Act includes several provisions
that will strengthen our national security by decreasing our dependence
on foreign oil. I am particularly pleased about the compromise that was
reached on fuel economy standards, raising standards for new cars and
trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. The bill ensures that this fuel
economy standard will be reached, while offering flexibility to
automakers and ensuring that we keep American manufacturing jobs and
continue domestic production of smaller vehicles. I want to applaud
Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Dingell for reaching an agreement that is
supported by both environmentalists and the automobile industry.
The legislation before us today also reduces our dependence on
foreign oil. The initiative includes a historic commitment to American
biofuels that will fuel our cars and trucks. It includes critical
environmental safeguards to ensure that the growth of homegrown fuels
helps to reduce carbon emissions and does not degrade water or air
quality or harm our lands and public health. The plan establishes a
plug-in hybrid/electric vehicle tax credit for individuals and
encourages the domestic development and production of advanced
technology vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It also includes tax
provisions totaling approximately $21 billion--which includes the
repeal of about $13 billion in tax subsidies for Big Oil.
The Energy Independence and Security Act will help lower energy costs
by promoting cleaner energy, greater efficiency, and smarter
technology. It requires utility companies to generate 15 percent of
electricity from renewable sources--such as wind power, biomass, wave,
tidal, geothermal and solar--by 2020. The bill includes landmark energy
efficiency provisions that will save consumers and businesses hundreds
of billions of dollars on energy costs by requiring more energy
efficient appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers,
refrigerators and freezers. It requires improved commercial and federal
building energy efficiency and assists consumers in improving the
efficiency of their homes. The bill also strengthens and extends
existing renewable energy tax credits, including solar, wind, biomass,
geothermal, hydro, landfill gas and trash combustion, while creating
new incentives for the use and production of renewable energy, as well
as supporting research on solar, geothermal, and marine renewable
energy.
The energy bill will help create new American jobs and reduce the
threat of global warming. The landmark fuel efficiency standard,
renewable electricity standard and energy efficiency provisions will
not only save consumers and businesses money, but will also
significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, this
package creates an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker
Training Program to train a quality workforce for ``green'' collar
jobs. These investments in renewable energy could create 3 million
green jobs over 10 years. The bill helps small businesses lead the way
in renewable energy by increasing loan limits for purchasing energy
efficient technologies. It rewards entrepreneurship in the energy
sector by increasing investment in small firms developing renewable
energy solutions. This initiative also takes aggressive steps on carbon
capture and sequestration to come up with a cleaner way to use coal.
For too long, our country has lagged behind the rest of the
industrialized world in recognizing and taking action to address the
climate change crisis. Global warming endangers all of us, but
threatens to have the most devastating impact on the poorest and the
most vulnerable. Our nation is the richest in the world and one of the
largest contributors to global warming, yet, until today, it has not
made any substantial efforts towards addressing the problem. I am proud
to join with my colleagues as we at long last put America on the path
to becoming part of the solution.
Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, with ongoing high oil and gasoline prices
and the conference on global climate change taking place in Bali, the
time for making investments to secure our energy future is now.
H.R. 6 is a strong first step toward reducing our dependence on
fossil fuels, which is a real security concern, addressing climate
change, and protecting public health, while saving consumers money on
energy bills and providing business opportunities in the energy market,
which will stimulate economic growth and create new jobs. But we must
not stop short of addressing climate change. Scientists say that if we
are to have a good chance of avoiding potentially catastrophic
repercussions of climate change, we must reduce emissions 60 percent to
80 percent by 2050. Through cap-and-trade, based on a sound energy
policy foundation, Congress can deliver the kind of reform business and
industry need to grow the economy, stabilize the climate, and create
more diverse and secure sources of energy. I sincerely hope the Speaker
keeps her commitment to address this critical issue.
The Energy Independence and Security Act, includes many provisions
that I have previously supported in earlier iterations of the
legislation in January and August. It increases the fuel economy for
automobiles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, requires that 15 percent of
our electricity come from renewable energy sources by 2020, includes
important energy efficiency provisions for buildings and appliances, a
renewable fuels standard with safeguards under the Clean Air Act with
specific incentives for cellulosic biofuels, and continues and makes
new investments in renewable energy production through the repeal of
subsidies for the oil and gas industry.
For the first time in 30 years, the bill ensures that our automobiles
go farther on a tank of gas by raising fuel efficiency, or CAFE, to 35
miles per gallon by 2020, which is both aggressive and something
manufacturers feel they can achieve. This is an historic achievement.
With close to $100/barrel oil, $3.00 a gallon gasoline, and a nearly
one billion dollar deficit in our balance of trade from oil imports
makes increasing our fuel economy so critical. I have long believed
that reasonable CAFE standards are both achievable and practical and
would have a positive impact on fuel consumption in this country. While
the issue of raising CAFE standards is not new and the proposals for
how it should be achieved have differed greatly, I am pleased to
support the agreement Congress has reached.
Another key measure is the requirement of a 15 percent national
renewable electricity standard, which will help lower energy costs,
create new jobs and help diversifying our energy portfolio with clean,
renewable sources, like wind and solar energy. This standard will
hopefully begin to ease pressure on natural gas prices and help reduce
carbon emissions quickly. While I am a cosponsor of legislation to
create a 20 percent national renewable electricity standard,
complimenting Delaware's recently adopted standard and effort to
harness offshore wind energy, this compromise will go a long way in
helping to keep our air and water clean and in our effort to address
climate change.
Finally, I strongly support the key tax provisions, such as the 4-
year extension of production tax credit for qualified renewable energy,
like wind, and credits for residential efficiency measures, that will
help us make strong investments in clean, renewable energy sources, and
help address affordability and availability.
Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, today, we are doing something great for
America.
This bill makes major strides towards addressing our country's
growing energy demands. And it makes great progress towards a brighter
and more renewable future for America's children.
Energy is what drives the American economy. It is what keeps the
lights on. But our use of fossil fuels is warming the planet, and may
have catastrophic effects on our children and grandchildren.
First, we must conserve energy. For the first time since 1975,
Congress is acting to require higher fuel economy for new vehicles.
This will save American consumers money, and make American car
manufacturers more competitive in the global marketplace.
The bill also requires that we begin to generate a significant amount
of our electricity--15 percent by 2020--from renewable sources like the
sun, wind, and water. The significance of this mandate is that it will
encourage the development of a greener economy by creating incentives
for the advancement of alternative energy sources.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
Energy conservation must be a natural partnership involving Federal,
State and local government.
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This bill contains a provision based on legislation that I introduced
to this House back in May as H.R. 2447, the Energy and Environment
Block Grant Act. This provision creates an Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant program that will help take on the problem of
global warming at the local and community level.
The bill authorizes $10 billion in local assistance to cities,
counties, and States to continue working to reduce energy usage,
increase our efficiencies, and conserve valuable energy resources.
EECB Grants will give local governments funding and assistance to:
implement energy conservation programs for homeowners and businesses;
reduce vehicle usage through smart planning, traffic flow improvements,
and telecommuting; increase material conservation; and locally generate
energy with renewable energy technology like solar, wind, and fuel
cells.
The program will: help create and grow new energy-efficient
communities; foster a nationwide market for renewable and efficient
technologies; and achieve significant energy savings across this
country.
Healthy High-Performance Schools
I am also proud to support the bill's provisions on Healthy High-
Performance Schools. On any weekday, 20 percent of America is in a
school building. Yet, schools are often sited next to abandoned
landfills or industrial facilities.
According to a 2002 five-state survey, more than 1,100 public schools
were built within a half-mile of a toxic waste site. Lead in paint and
drinking water, toxic chemical and pesticide use, polluted indoor air,
radon, asbestos, and mold are also factors that impact the health of
our children, teachers and staff in schools environments.
According to the EPA, studies show that one-half of our nation's
schools have problems linked to indoor air quality. Asthma is the
leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness and it is
also the leading occupational disease of teachers.
The Energy Security and Savings Act's provisions on Healthy High-
Performance Schools amend the Toxics Substances Control Act to promote
the development of healthy school environments that are free of
environmental hazards and establish a grant program for states to
design healthier, more energy efficient and environmentally safe
facilities.
I know this bill has opposition on many fronts. But I believe it is
an important step for our country to take towards a better and more
sustainable future.
I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.
Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, this is the first forward-looking energy bill
to come before Congress in a generation and it is sorely needed because
our nation and our planet are at risk because of our dependence on
fossil fuel. We are doing nothing less than asserting America's
leadership in solving our own and the world's most significant energy
and environmental problems.
Today, our national security is at risk because the U.S. is
increasingly beholden to foreign governments for the energy that fuels
our economy, and greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to greater
global insecurity due to changes in the climate and their
repercussions. Consumers see the effects of dependence in their
pocketbooks each time they fill up. Our interests in the Middle East
are dictated by our need for oil. Throughout the world we see the
environmental impact of the dependence on fossil fuel on our
environment ... whether it's an oil spill or more intense hurricanes or
droughts.
Today we're taking a historic step in changing this dynamic.
The auto fuel efficiency provisions in this bill reduce our oil
consumption by more than 4 million barrels per day by 2030--more than
twice the amount of oil we currently import from the Persian Gulf.
The bill will also reduce global warming pollution by the equivalent
of 300 coal-fired power plants. By 2030 we will cut emissions by up to
35 percent of what scientific experts say we must achieve to prevent
climate catastrophe.
Many said it would be impossible to reach agreement on raising fuel
economy standards and requirements for renewable energy, but this bill
delivers.
It raises fuel economy standards for cars and trucks to an average of
35 miles per gallon by 2020, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the
equivalent of 28 million cars, and saving consumers up to $1,000 once
it is fully implemented.
The bill also requires 15% of the electricity produced in the U.S. to
be generated from renewable resources, and it sets goals for the use of
renewable fuels--36 million gallons by 2022.
These are enormous steps, and combined with provisions on energy
efficiency, including a provision I authored on computer data center
efficiency, this bill will reshape energy production and consumption.
It will foster the development of new energy development that could
make the U.S. an exporter of energy technology instead of an importer
of oil and gas.
This is the bill I've been waiting 15 years to vote for and I'm
thrilled the moment has arrived.
Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, when our constituents tell us to ``do
something'' about gas prices, they don't mean ``Make them higher.''
This bill has some attractive elements, but they're overwhelmingly
weighed down by bad policy, creative accounting and tax increases, none
of which gets close to fixing the energy problem we face.
Record high gas prices are due to growing demand, constricted supply,
and over-reliance on oil from unstable regions of the world. Yet this
bill penalizes U.S. producers.
Mr. Speaker, families in Northern California won't see reduced prices
at the pump if Congress raises billions in new taxes on those who
discover, refine and deliver our gas.
I urge a ``no'' vote.
Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, America must develop a 21st century energy
security policy that will reduce energy costs, increase energy
independence, encourage energy conservation, strengthen the economy and
protect the environment, including steps to cut carbon emissions and
address the impacts of climate change. I believe that policy must also
include a commitment to invest in clean, renewable energy technology,
the responsible exploration of domestic energy sources, an increase in
fuel efficiency standards, and the research necessary to develop the
fuels of the future.
Today the House considers a bill that is over 1,000 pages, with only
12 hours of notice and only 1 hour of debate. I found it interesting
that while the bill was not introduced and made available to members
until 8:30 last night, K Street lobbyists provided copies to
congressional staff 3 hours earlier.
In the limited time we have had to read the bill, I have found some
provisions that I could support. The bill has provisions to invest in
research and development of a whole host of renewable resources,
promote energy efficiency by the Federal Government, promote energy
conservation programs and investment by the private sector in renewable
energy generation. If we are ever to become energy independent, those
are the kinds of investment we must make.
The bill also has provisions to establish grants to promote public
transportation and expand use of alternative fuels, and extend tax
credits for energy efficient projects in commercial buildings,
production of renewable electricity and investments in solar energy and
fuel cells. Earlier this year I voted for the Udall/Platts amendment to
require electricity companies to ensure that 15 percent of their
electricity is generated by renewable and alternative sources by the
year 2020. Renewable energy development is vital to our national
security, our economic prosperity and the health of our environment.
Another provision I support and have cosponsored separate legislation
will increase automobile fuel economy standards, also called CAFE,
Corporate Average Fuel Economy.
But with all these positive steps promoting energy investment, why
add provisions that will penalize domestic oil and gas production?
America is at the mercy of countries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela
and even China whose governments control oil resources around the
world. If we are ever to wean our Nation from foreign sources of
energy, we must tap our own energy sources. Congress had an opportunity
through this bill to find ways to partner with America's oil and gas
producers to provide incentives to encourage alternative energy use and
development and to stop the rising costs of gas and oil. Instead, the
legislation adds billions in increased taxes which will hurt energy
consumers and threaten U.S. jobs. I don't believe any fair-minded
person would say that the way to lower prices at the pump is by raising
taxes on the companies that find, refine and transport gasoline.
That is no way to promote energy independence. The tax provisions not
only increase taxes for domestic drilling, but also include a massive
tax increase on U.S. companies producing energy abroad. This will have
the effect of placing U.S.-based companies at a disadvantage by
reducing their ability to compete for investments in foreign energy
projects. This is unacceptable when China, India and Russia are working
night and day to corner the market on many of the world's energy
resources. In fact, Cuba has sold leases for offshore drilling in the
Gulf of Mexico to China, India, Canada and Spain.
[[Page 32488]]
Additionally, I was shocked to see that provisions to promote
telework in the Federal Government were removed from the final bill.
According to Environmental Defense, 6 billion gallons of oil can be
saved if commuters telework just 1 day each week. Most importantly,
these telework provisions did not cost a penny.
Just a few weeks ago the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M
University released its annual traffic congestion study which found
that congestion creates a $78 billion annual drain on the U.S. economy
due to 4.2 million lost hours of productivity and 2.9 billion gallons
of wasted gas. That's not even considering the air pollutants caused by
idling vehicles around the nation. Why did we not consider savings from
the telecommuting provisions included in the energy bill passed earlier
this year as an offset instead of new taxes on the backs of the
American people?
I also have learned that this massive bill includes a $2 billion
earmark for the City of New York. I am sure there are other special
interest projects that have been creatively air dropped into the 1,061
pages of this bill. With so little time to cull through those pages,
though, no one but the sponsors will know before we vote. No wonder the
American people have such low regard for Congress.
To truly create an effective energy policy, we must have an open and
transparent process for all members and in fact all Americans working
together. We cannot achieve energy security by increasing taxes on oil
and gas producers, which will cripple our economy and impact the
pocketbook of every single American. We cannot create energy policy
through wheeling and dealing or thousand page bills released just hours
before a vote.
Finding bipartisan consensus in developing energy policy is critical
for our Nation's future economy, prosperity and security. Republicans
and Democrats in the House and Senate must work together so that
America can truly start on the path to energy independence that
delivers energy security and lower costs for American consumers in a
way that also promotes environmental stewardship.
We can do better. We must do better.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a 10-term member of the United
States House of Representatives, co-author of the DRIVE Act, Dependence
Reduction through Innovation in Vehicles and Energy Act, H.R. 670, and
co-chair of the Oil and National Security Caucus.
For too long, the United States has been too dependent on foreign
oil. We consume nearly 21 million barrels per day, and our appetite is
growing. This reliance on a single resource is particularly troubling
because much of that oil comes from nations that are unstable,
unfriendly, or downright hostile.
Despite our economic dominance, we continue to give our money to
foreign nations because we are addicted to foreign oil. Despite our
military might, we remain vulnerable because we are addicted to foreign
oil.
Mr. Speaker, it is time for that to change. It is time for bold
leadership to move us toward energy independence.
Energy independence is a goal that other countries are already
achieving. Brazil, a nation that once relied on foreign countries to
import 80 percent of its crude oil, will be entirely self-sufficient in
a few years thanks to its investment in biofuels.
I believe we can become self-sufficient by replacing our consumption
of foreign oil with domestic production of biofuels; first from corn,
then from cellulosic feedstock and other biomass--including
agricultural and municipal waste.
I am proud of the legislation that this legislative body has produced
today. This bill will strengthen national security, lower energy costs,
grow our economy and create new jobs, and begin to reduce global
warming.
This legislation takes groundbreaking steps to increase the
efficiency of our vehicles, making an historic commitment to American
grown biofuels, requiring that 15 percent of our electricity come from
renewable sources, and strengthening energy efficiency for a wide range
of products, appliances, lighting and buildings to reduce energy costs
to consumers.
It mandates increased automotive fuel efficiency standards to 35
miles per gallon by the year 2020, the first such change since 1975.
It repeals tax breaks for profit-rich oil companies, and invests that
money in clean renewable energy and new American technologies. Not only
would this reduce our dependence on foreign oil, the measure would also
save consumers billions of dollars.
Mr. Speaker, among the specific legislative initiatives in this bill
near-and-dear to my heart, that I have long advocated with some of my
friends and distinguished colleagues here in the House, are:
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, PHEV, and other Advanced Drive
Transportation Technologies, which will save fuels costs for consumers
and businesses, reduce air pollution, and decrease dependence on
imported oil;
National Tire Efficiency Consumer Information Program, which will
create a national program to educate consumers about the crucial role
played by passenger tires, and the proper maintenance of passenger
tires, on vehicle fuel economy;
Renewable Fuels Standard, which will ensure that a percentage of our
nation's fuel supply will be provided by the domestic production of
biofuels. It will provide a pathway for reduced consumer fuel prices,
increased energy security, and growth in our nation's factories and
farms.
United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Provisions, which establish a
grant program to fund joint ventures between American and Israeli
businesses, academic institutions, and non-profit agencies, with the
goal of promoting the development of clean alternative fuels and more
energy efficient technologies.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation will help pave a path to a new era in
American energy. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this pragmatic and
forward-looking bill.
Thank you.
Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of clean energy and a
clean environment.
The Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act,
H.R. 6, provides long overdue increases in our fuel efficiency
standards for vehicles, CAFE, significant investments in energy
efficiency, ending needless tax breaks for giant oil companies, and
mandating production of electricity from clean and renewable sources.
Although this bill represents real progress, much more must be done in
order to avoid the catastrophic consequences of global warming. I urge
all of my colleagues to take up this cause and support aggressive
efforts to end our dangerous addiction to fossil fuels through a carbon
tax.
We have not increased CAFE standards since 1975. During the
intervening years the price of oil has reached nearly $100 a barrel,
our reliance on foreign oil has led to deadly wars and propped up
corrupt regimes, and the threat of global warming has become real. The
bill before us would increase CAFE standards to 35 mpg by 2020.
Although I believe we can and should get there faster, this provision
alone will save 1.1 million barrels of oil per day by 2020. That is
real progress.
With this legislation we also have the opportunity to greatly reduce
our use of polluting fuels like coal by mandating that 15 percent of
our Nation's electricity be generated from renewable and clean sources
such as wind, biomass, and geothermal. Such a change will have the
equivalent of removing 20 million cars from our roadways. In addition,
this bill will reduce our energy use and save families money by setting
strong, new efficiency standards for appliances and promoting carbon-
neutral green buildings. These two steps will prevent as much as 10
billion tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
I am troubled that we are continuing to subsidize and ratchet up
corn-based ethanol production. A simple shift from gasoline to ethanol
will do nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions, but it will eat up
open space and continue to drive up food prices. Fortunately, this bill
includes some environmental safeguards and directs future production
toward advanced biofuels. I urge my colleagues to pay close attention
to the effect of ethanol on food prices here and abroad and move
quickly to protect families who are squeezed by rapidly rising prices.
This bill begins to address the energy and environmental crises
caused by the unbridled use of fossil fuels. I urge all of my
colleagues to support final passage. We must realize, however, that
more fundamental changes, ideally a carbon tax, are needed if we are
serious about stopping global warming and becoming truly energy
independent.
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this historic and
long-overdue legislation. Today's bill offers geopolitical and economic
security, environmental sustainability, and significant cost savings
for American consumers.
It is a strategy to fight global warming. It is a compromise that
raises fuel efficiency standards. It is an investment in a new
generation of manufacturing jobs.
This bill creates a world where American resources and ingenuity are
used to make American energy, not to import it from other countries.
The bill raises CAFE standards for the first time since 1975. As a
result, each American family could save up to $1,000 a year at the
pump. That alone should be reason enough for every Member of Congress
to support this compromise.
But today's bill does even more. It frees us from a dangerous
dependence on foreign oil.
[[Page 32489]]
By 2030, it will save Americans more than double the level of oil we
currently import from the Persian Gulf That amounts to more than 4
million barrels saved every single day.
This energy package also invests in the American people by creating
three million green jobs over 10 years.
With this bill, Mr. Speaker, we are forging an entirely new kind of
economy--a clean energy economy. My hometown of Sacramento is the
perfect example of a community that will contribute to this new energy
economy.
We have a growing clean-energy industry that is poised to take off.
Our local utility already produces power from solar, wind, and methane
gas. More and more of our region's homes, businesses, and vehicles are
powered by renewable energy.
However, my constituents need help from the Federal Government to
bring this new energy economy into the mainstream.
That is why I am proud to stand before the House today in support of
this revolutionary energy package. It makes landmark investments in the
energy economy that is developing in Sacramento and in likeminded
cities across our great Nation.
The biofuels this bill develops will power my constituents' cars. New
fuel efficiency standards will help them save money on gas. They will
work some of the millions of green-collar jobs it creates. This energy
bill helps Sacramento continue to lead our country's energy revolution.
One of the cornerstones of this revolution is a renewable portfolio
standard. My home State of California already has such a standard. So
do more than 20 other States. I have seen this progressive policy in
action, Mr. Speaker, and it has contributed greatly to my home State's
groundbreaking efforts to increase the use of clean power and forestall
global warming.
I am pleased that a renewable portfolio standard has been included in
this comprehensive energy package. What works for our states can--and
will--work for the entire country.
Mr. Speaker, in Congress we often talk about creating a better future
for our children and grandchildren. Today's energy bill will create
this better future. It is a future of energy independence, clean power,
fuel-efficient vehicles, and economic growth.
I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.
Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the most
profound step forward in energy policy that this country has taken in
30 years.
In those 30 years, we in America have seen our dependence on foreign
nations increase exponentially. The same issue which has caused this
great nation to be beholden to others is draining the wallets of our
fellow citizens while warming the earth at an alarming and unnatural
rate.
And so, I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Congress that
isolated the source of those problems and responded resolutely, in a
bicameral, bipartisan way. When the energy bill is fully implemented, a
gallon of gasoline will take the average American nearly 30 percent
farther, our need for foreign oil will plummet by a colossal 4 million
barrels a day, energy bills will drop as appliances grow more
efficient, and thanks to an unprecedented investment in homegrown,
renewable, clean fuel, the prospect for real, safe energy independence
is closer than it has ever been.
Mr. Speaker, this is more than simply an energy bill, this is
America's declaration of energy independence, and I urge my colleagues
support it.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
urgently needed legislation.
Three months ago, the House passed an excellent energy bill that
combined provisions developed by several different Committees designed
to start putting our country on a path toward energy independence,
increased national security and economic growth, and addressing global
warming.
The Senate has also passed its version of energy legislation, and the
measure now before the House would make revisions to that version,
returning the bill to the Senate for further action.
By passing it, we can move toward greater energy independence--which
means greater national security--in ways that will lower energy costs,
help our economy, and reduce the carbon emissions that contribute to
climate change.
The measure includes a few things not part of the bill the House
passed earlier, including the first revision in decades of the fuel-
consumption standards for automobiles and trucks and provisions dealing
with the Secure Rural Schools and Payments-in-Lieu-of-Taxes, PILT
program.
I support those additions. Both are good for the nation, and the
Secure Rural Schools and PILT provisions are of particular importance
for Colorado because so many of our counties include large Federal land
areas and therefore will benefit directly from that part of the bill.
In 2006, Colorado counties received more than $6 million in Secure
Rural Schools payments, while PILT payments to our counties totaled an
additional $17.3 million.
However, the authorization for Secure Rural Schools has expired and
Congress has rarely appropriated all funds authorized for PILT--which
is why I have introduced legislation, H.R. 790 to make full funding for
PILT automatic without a need for annual appropriations. So, this part
of the legislation is good news for Colorado because it will mean our
counties will know what they will receive to help pay for law
enforcement and other vital services.
I am particularly pleased that the measure before us retains the
provision of the House bill--added by adoption of an amendment I
offered along with Representatives Tom Udall and Todd Platts--to
establish a Renewable Electricity Standard, RES. This provision will
require utilities acquire 15 percent of electricity production from
renewable resources by 2020. The House's adoption of that amendment
represented a great success by those of use working for positive change
that will benefit rural communities, save consumers money, reduce air
pollution, and increase reliability and energy security.
I am also pleased that the legislation includes a provision on carbon
capture and storage based upon a bill that I authored. Coal and other
fossil fuels have been and will continue to be an important energy
source for our country, but coal-burning power plants are also a major
source of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. The carbon
capture and storage research, development, and demonstration program
authorized in this bill will help us tackle this challenge while
keeping our economy healthy and strong. It will authorize the
Department of Energy to conduct demonstration projects for both carbon
dioxide capture and carbon dioxide injection and storage. Not only will
this research program help us develop this technology and make it more
economical, it will also help us understand the implications of storing
large amounts of carbon dioxide underground.
But some of the provisions we passed earlier are not part of this
measure. I regret their omission, and if it had been up to me, they
would not have been dropped.
Those omissions include the majority of provisions in the earlier
bill that originated in the Natural Resources Committee, including ones
that I proposed regarding oil shale development, the protection of
surface owners in ``split estate'' situations, and the safeguarding of
our water supplies from potential adverse effects of energy
development. And the measure now before us also omits the important
provision to require that drilling on the top of the Roan Plateau be
done in a way that will reduce adverse effects on other resources and
values of that area, which is so important to Western Slope communities
and Colorado's hunters and anglers.
I am also disappointed that the measure does not include my provision
to reorient and expand the U.S. Global Change Research Program, USGCRP,
so that it will provide more user-driven research and information. The
USGCRP coordinates all Federal climate change research and has
contributed much to our understanding of climate change since its
creation in 1990--but we now need to expand our knowledge and tailor
the information to the needs of national, regional and local decision
makers confronted with management and mitigation challenges. This
bipartisan provision would have done that.
I strongly supported all those provisions, and I intend to continue
working to win their enactment either on their own or as part of some
other measure.
But while dropping those provisions means the measure now is weaker
in some respects that the one the House passed earlier, it has been
strengthened in an important respect by the addition of the fuel-
economy provisions, which will result in increasing the efficiency of
all vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. And other parts of the
legislation will provide long-term incentives to boost production of
electricity from renewable sources, including wind, solar, biomass,
geothermal, river currents, ocean tides, landfill gas, and trash
combustion resources, as well as to expand production of homegrown
fuels such as cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel.
The bill will encourage manufacturers to build more efficient
appliances, help working families afford fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid
vehicles, and help businesses create energy-efficient workplaces. It
will encourage deployment of renewable energy by enabling electric
cooperatives and public power providers to use
[[Page 32490]]
new clean renewable energy bonds to help finance facilities to generate
electricity from renewable resources. And it will help states leverage
tax credit bonds to implement low-interest loan programs and grant
programs to help working families purchase energy-efficient appliances,
make energy-efficient home improvements, or install solar panels, small
wind turbines, and geothermal heat pumps.
Further, the bill will create an Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy Worker Training Program to train Americans for good ``green''
jobs--such as in solar panel manufacturing and green building
construction--that will be created by new renewable-energy and energy-
efficiency initiatives. This will provide training opportunities to our
veterans, to those displaced by national energy and environmental
policy and economic globalization, to individuals seeking pathways out
of poverty, to young people at risk and to workers already in the
energy field who need to update their skills.
Mr. Speaker, as I said, this legislation is much needed and long
overdue. While I regret the omission of several very important parts of
the version the House passed earlier this year, what remains and what
has been added combine to make a measure that deserves to pass here and
in the Senate and that President Bush should sign into law. I urge its
approval.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, this is our third attempt at
passing a comprehensive energy bill. Each manifestation inches closer
to the compromise needed to pass a bill into law and fundamentally
shift our Nation's energy policy. Unfortunately, we are not there yet.
Our excessive dependence on foreign oil and heavy use of dirty fossil
fuels are serious threats to our national security, economic security
and our environment. We must lay the groundwork through a comprehensive
energy policy that seeks to decrease our dependence on foreign oil by
increasing domestic production in the short term. At the same time,
however, we must devote substantial resources into research and
development of new technologies and facilitate a gradual shift to
green, renewable and domestic sources of energy.
We cannot pretend to address our dependence on foreign oil or
consumption of fossil fuels without increasing Corporate Average Fuel
Economy, CAFE, standards. I was baffled when the House was not allowed
to debate such a crucial issue during our two prior deliberations on
energy bills. I have long been a proponent of increasing efficiency
standards, sponsoring and cosponsoring bills to accomplish that goal in
this and previous legislative sessions. I am pleased this provision was
finally included by the House democratic leadership.
Yet, this positive development is outweighed by a radical tax
increase on our domestic oil and gas industry. I could not vote for the
$16.1 billion tax package that was attempted in August, and I cannot
vote for a $21.5 billion tax increase today. By taking such an action,
this bill will hinder domestic production of oil and gas and further
increase our reliance on foreign sources of energy. U.S. dependence on
imported petroleum is already at an all time high. The imposition of
retroactive and punitive taxes and fees will only exacerbate this
problem.
The needed direction of our energy policy is clear: increase domestic
production to utilize our secure, abundant sources of energy while we
develop the technologies that will feed our hunger for energy in the
years to come. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against this
legislation and work towards a viable, practical energy strategy.
Mr. CAMPBELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask that
while the House consider this energy legislation, that they take into
account that the CAFE provision in this bill does nothing to clarify
the critical issue of which federal government agency has the lead on
regulating fuel economy.
To effectively improve fuel economy there cannot be two separate sets
of fuel economy standards--one from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) and another from the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Having two agencies with inconsistent standards creates
substantial regulatory uncertainty, confusion, and duplication of
effort.
Most importantly, the legislation gives EPA free rein on the fuel
economy issue which would allow them the ability to supersede
Congressional authority over CAFE. This could mean that EPA could
establish a CAFE standard that far exceeds the standard passed by
Congress.
The White House agrees that one agency needs to be the lead entity
responsible for a single national regulatory standard. The legislation
should have harmonized EPA and NHTSA's distinct roles to regulate fuel
economy and emissions.
A single, nationwide fuel economy standard would create certainty and
achieve the mutual goal of reducing gasoline consumption in an
effective manner.
It is my hope that this problem be remedied.
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this
reckless energy policy, which will do absolutely nothing to make us
energy independent, or lower energy costs. This bill sets us on a
dangerous path and ties our hands in a regulatory mess to ensure that
we cannot produce domestic energy.
Like my colleagues, I believe we should find solutions to address the
growing demand for energy. The biggest concern facing the farmers and
ranchers of this country are increased input costs from higher fuel
prices and fertilizer. The U.S. fertilizer industry relies upon natural
gas as the fundamental feedstock for the production of nitrogen
fertilizer. The rest of the U.S. farm sector also depends on
significant amounts of natural gas for food processing, irrigation,
crop drying, heating farm buildings and homes, the production of crop
protection chemicals, and, let's not forget, ethanol biofuel
production. In addition to the farm sector, the forest products
industry relies more on natural gas than any other fossil fuel and
energy amounts to the third largest manufacturing cost for the
industry.
Unbelievably, this legislation contains no new energy supplies in it
and does nothing to relieve the burdens of increased costs on producers
who provide the food and fiber for American consumers. It seems that
the Majority's plan to move toward energy independence includes
limiting domestic energy production and imposing new government
mandates that will prove to be costly and burdensome to the American
people.
This legislation would dramatically expand the Renewable Fuels
Standard (RFS) by increasing it to 36 billion gallons by 2022. This
initiative is extremely ambitious and could be achieved by tapping all
sectors of agriculture including plant and wood waste, vegetable oil,
and animal fat and waste which would result in the production of 21
billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol. Strangely, the bill discourages
the production of cellulosic fuels from forests, even though forests
are the largest potential source of cellulosic feedstock. While I am in
favor of finding new markets for agriculture products, what good is
finding new markets for agriculture commodities when the cost of
production is too much for our farmers and ranchers?
We should develop a policy that is technology neutral and allows the
market to develop new sources of renewable energy. The RFS provisions
create an unrealistic mandate for advanced biofuels technology that
doesn't yet exist and creates hurdles for the development of second
generation biofuels by placing restrictions on alternative fuels,
renewable fuel plant production, and, most important, limits the
harvesting of our homegrown feedstocks. These restrictions will
undoubtedly lead to a consumer tax to help bridge the gap in production
that will occur if this policy is put into place. Even with the
advancement of cellulosic ethanol, the expansion of the RFS would still
require 15 billion gallons of renewable fuel to come from the only
current commercially available option: grain ethanol
Last year, 20 percent of the U.S. corn crop was used for ethanol
production and that amount is expected to rise significantly over the
next few years. With feed stocks meeting most of our renewable fuel
initiatives, the livestock sector is facing significantly higher feed
costs. Corn and soybeans' most valuable market has always been, and
will continue to be, the livestock producers. We must ensure that there
are not unintended economic distortions to either grain or livestock
producers as a result of these sectors prospering from other markets.
The benefits of reduced reliance on foreign energy sources, stable
energy prices, and new markets for agricultural products should not be
replaced with a risk of adding even more increased input costs for
livestock producers and creating even higher food prices for consumers.
This energy policy, set in place by the Democrat Majority,
exemplifies the Democrat motto through and through: Tax and spend. This
bill imposes $21 billion in tax increases. The other side will tell you
that these tax increases will not affect the average hardworking
American, only the ``big, evil oil companies.'' Nothing could be
farther from the truth. The taxes contained in this bill will impede
new domestic oil and gas production, will discourage investment in new
refinery capacity, and will make it more expensive for domestic energy
companies to operate in the U.S. than their foreign competitors, making
the price at the pump rise even higher.
Let's make no mistake: an increased tax doesn't just hurt energy
companies, it hurts every American--individual, farm, or company--that
consumes energy. Increased taxes
[[Page 32491]]
on energy companies are passed to consumers. Every American will see
these increased costs on their energy bill. This body shouldn't pass
legislation that further raises energy prices for consumers.
What is even more disturbing is that these increased costs will be
felt by some of our Nation's most poor. On average, the Nation's
working poor spends approximately 13 to 30 percent of their yearly
income on energy costs. This average is already too high, and sadly
this legislation will only dramatically increase the amount of money
these workers will have to spend on energy costs. I have heard those on
the other side of the aisle say that we must all shoulder the cost to
produce clean energy. Well, the costs of the clean energy in the
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) alone, as estimated by just one of
Virginia's many electric utilities, will increase $200 million for its
retail customers. By shifting to renewable energy sources, that are not
as available or as cost effective as traditional sources, we will see a
rise in energy prices across the board and this will be hardest felt by
working people who cannot afford to shoulder any more costs.
While this bill is said to be focused on new energy technologies, it
fails to address some of our most promising domestic alternative and
renewable energy supplies that could be cost effective for American
consumers. Coal is one of our Nation's most abundant resources, yet the
development of Coal-to-Liquid technologies is ignored in this bill.
Furthermore, this legislation does nothing to encourage the
construction of new nuclear facilities.
Proponents of this legislation will tout how green this bill is;
however, if my colleagues really want to promote green energy they
should encourage the production of more nuclear sites which provide
CO2 emission-free energy. The rest of the world is far
outpacing the U.S. in its commitment to clean nuclear energy. We
generate only 20 percent of our energy from this clean energy, when
other countries can generate about 80 percent of their electricity
needs through nuclear. It is a travesty that in over 1,000 pages this
legislation does not once mention or encourage the construction of
clean and reliable nuclear plants. Nuclear energy is the most reliable
and advanced of any renewable energy technology, and if we are serious
about encouraging CO2-free energy use, we must support
nuclear energy.
This legislation does nothing to address the energy concerns of our
country; and it does nothing to relieve agricultural producers of their
increasing input costs. This legislation only makes the situation worse
and it is the product of a flawed process that does not have bipartisan
support!
This bill is a dangerous policy for our country. If we really want to
make our country energy independent, this Congress must pass an energy
bill that contains energy. This bill does not. I urge my colleagues to
reject this awful bill, let's start over, and work to find real
solutions to the energy needs of our Nation.
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I support the conference
agreement on the Energy Independence and Security Act and I thank
Speaker Pelosi for her personal involvement and leadership on this
issue.
This legislation: (1) reduces our dependency on unstable foreign
sources of oil; and, (2) moves us away from our unsustainable reliance
on fossil fuels.
To do so is absolutely necessary for our economy, our future
prosperity and our environment.
Americans are reminded how important this is every time they fill up
their gas tanks at the pump.
While we should not try to manipulate the price at the pump, we can
take concrete steps to reduce the amount of oil we consume, by making
our vehicles travel further on each gallon they burn, and in doing so,
reducing our dependency on too many unstable and unfriendly foreign
sources of oil.
It's been more than 30 years since Congress last raised automobile
fuel efficiency standards, and during the interim, the average fuel
efficiency of our vehicles has actually declined. We've regressed in
meeting our goals.
This legislation corrects this inexcusable abdication of
responsibility and mandates tough, but achievable, fuel efficiency
standards that will reduce our daily consumption of oil by 4 million
barrels per day by 2030--more than twice the amount we import from the
Persian Gulf today.
Consumers can look forward to savings hundreds or even thousands of
dollars every year on their gas bills.
This legislation also looks toward the future and crafts responsible
policies that, if implemented today, will reduce the threat of global
warming and the impact of future oil price shocks by moving us toward
cleaner, more environmentally responsible alternative sources of
energy.
The mandate on commercial power companies to produce 15 percent of
their electricity from renewable sources will be the equivalent of
retiring 300 coal-fired power plants, the single largest source of
carbon dioxide emissions.
With this legislation, we have the beginnings of a substantial
commitment toward lower greenhouse gas emissions and greater energy
independence.
By 2030, the policies implemented under this legislation will have
achieved about 40 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions
most scientists have concluded are needed to avoid catastrophic global
climate change.
Despite the claims of rising prices, economic disruption and
disaster, this legislation will achieve its objectives in a way that
will spur innovation, create thousands of new manufacturing and service
jobs, increase savings for consumers, put fewer of our earnings into
the pockets of unfriendly foreign interests and set up a safer, more
secure future for our children.
I urge my colleagues to support this conference agreement.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I support the rule and urge the House to
adopt the Energy Independence and Security Act.
The basic issue before us is whether we are going to take action to
address energy security in this country, or are we going to sit on the
sidelines and let American consumers and businesses fend for
themselves. All of us know that we can't continue business as usual.
The price of oil stands near $90 a barrel. In my home State of
Michigan, gas costs over $3 a gallon. Families are struggling with
persistently high home heating costs. At the same time, the effects of
climate change are becoming more and more pronounced, yet the United
States remains the only industrialized nation in the world that has no
plan to address global warming.
The package before the House strengthens our energy security, lowers
energy costs, grows our economy, creates jobs, and begins to address
global warming. It also bolsters our national security. Today we import
more than 60 percent of the oil we use. It is simply not in our long-
term security interests to continue to rely on oil imports from the
Middle East and other volatile regions of the world. We can't drill our
way out way out of this situation, so we need to try another approach.
Many of the provisions of this legislation are common sense and will
achieve significant energy savings with little or no cost. For example,
the bill sets new energy efficiency standards for appliances, lighting,
and buildings. Doing so will save consumers and businesses hundreds of
billions of dollars over time. This legislation also includes
incentives for manufacturers to produce washing machines, refrigerators
and dishwashers that push the boundaries of energy and water
efficiency, and to build them in the United States. Reducing the energy
or water usage of a washing machine may seem like a small thing, but
over time and across millions of households, these incentives will
produce remarkable reductions in energy and water usage, and consumers
will save money on their utility bills.
Other sections of this bill will challenge key sectors of our
economy. In particular, the legislation calls for a 40 percent increase
in vehicle fuel economy by 2020. The compromise that has been reached
is ambitious, but it has the support of auto manufacturers, the United
Auto Workers, consumers groups, and the environmental community. We
also reform the existing CAFE mechanism, which for years has
discriminated against manufactures, including Ford, GM and Chrysler,
that produce a full line of vehicle sizes. The agreement contains anti-
backsliding language to help keep small car production here in the
United States and protect the jobs of American workers. I am pleased
that this bill also begins the work of helping industry reach the
higher mileage standards through retooling assistance and incentives
such as a new plug-in hybrid tax credit.
I also strongly support the renewable electricity portfolio
provisions of this bill that require utilities to generate 15 percent
of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Obviously, this
provision will pay environmental dividends. Moving towards renewable
energy will help keep mercury out of the Great Lakes and greenhouse
gases out of the atmosphere, but it also will help create new
industries and jobs here in the United States. There is no reason in
the world why the U.S. should not lead the world in the production of
wind turbines and solar panels. This bill will help ensure that these
jobs are created here in the United States.
Our work in this House is about priorities, and the difference in
priorities on this bill could
[[Page 32492]]
not be more clear. I urge all of my colleagues to support this
responsible legislation.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, the people of rural Missouri and those who
live throughout the United States are eager for Congress to enact
energy policies that help alleviate record high oil prices, reduce
America's dependency on foreign oil, promote homegrown energy sources,
and preserve the environment for future generations. The comprehensive
energy bill we are considering today, the Energy Independence and
Security Act, would address the peoples' concerns in these areas. After
careful consideration, I have concluded the measure is good for rural
Missouri and for the security of our Nation. I will lend my support to
it.
Our Nation cannot afford to ignore the impact high energy prices are
having on individuals, on families, and on the economy at large. Oil
and fuel prices have been at record levels for weeks. Rural Missouri
families and farmers, who rely heavily on transportation to go about
their daily lives, are particularly hard hit by high fuel costs. They
have been allocating larger portions of their income to fill their gas
tanks and to heat their homes. Meanwhile, America's top five oil
companies have been collecting record profits and refusing to invest
those profits in new oil refining capabilities.
Enactment of the Energy Independence and Security Act would be
welcome news to Missouri motorists. For the first time since 1975, this
legislation would raise fuel efficiency standards for the cars and
trucks sold in our country. Further, it would ensure that automakers
continue producing trucks driven by many rural Americans by adjusting
the fuel efficiency requirements for these particular vehicles.
Improved fuel efficiency is long overdue. Over time, this added
efficiency would reduce by half the amount of oil America imports from
foreign sources, reduce hazardous vehicle emissions, preserve our
environment, and eventually yield fewer trips to the gas station for
hard working Americans. I am pleased that the automobile industry and
conservationists support this fuel efficiency standard.
Important to Missouri farmers is the robust renewable fuels standard
included in the Energy Independence and Security Act. In the Show-Me
State and throughout America's heartland, ethanol and biodiesel
production facilities dot the countryside. They have fostered economic
development in areas of the country that have struggled to produce
jobs. Many of these facilities are owned by farmers who have committed
their financial resources and ingenuity toward advancing America's
energy independence, improving farm incomes, and boosting the economic
well-being of small towns.
The 2005 Energy Bill included a strong renewable fuels standard for
ethanol made from corn. Since passage of that legislation, ethanol
production has dramatically increased, corn yields have set records,
and ethanol's farmer-investors have reaped economic gains. Because of
the overwhelming success of ethanol and the demand for corn, the price
per bushel of corn has risen. Combined with widespread drought that has
impacted much of the Midwest and Great Plains States over the past
several years, killing or damaging grazing pastureland, high corn
prices have raised concerns about ethanol with some livestock
producers.
This year's energy bill would build upon the successful renewable
fuels standard established in 2005 by allowing for a strong corn
ethanol mandate, while also phasing in ethanol made from sources other
than corn to help assuage the concerns of some U.S. livestock
producers. The bill also would create a minimum use requirement for
biodiesel made from soybeans and other sources.
While I will support the Energy Independence and Security Act, the
bill is not perfect. I am concerned that investor-owned utility firms
in Missouri and elsewhere may not be able to sufficiently produce
electricity from renewable sources within the time mandated by the
legislation. I am hopeful that the Energy and Commerce Committee will
sit down with investor-owned utility firms to iron out any glitches
that may arise in this particular area.
Taken as a whole, the Energy Independence and Security Act would be
good for rural Missouri and for our country. I will vote for it and
urge my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, the signs of an energy crisis are clear--we
are facing the consequences of significant climatic change, our
national security continues to be at risk, and our energy economy must
change in the face of $100 per barrel oil.
Investors are ready to invest billions of dollars into American made
next generation clean technologies, but for too long the Federal
Government has been subsidizing the old technologies. Inventors and
entrepreneurs, the true engines of American economic growth, are
already focused on energy, but they are still waiting for Congress to
send them the right signals before bringing their full efforts to bear
on the problem.
That is why I am pleased to rise in support of an energy bill that
sends the right signal and will help to revolutionize our Nation's
energy economy as we know it, help free us of our dependence on foreign
oil, create millions of new jobs, and address global warming.
The Energy Independence and Security Act will increase corporate
average fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020; greatly
expand the national biofuels mandate; require utilities nationwide to
provide 15 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020;
strengthen energy efficiency for a wide range of products, appliances,
lighting, and buildings; create education and job training programs to
train the next generation of Americans to ensure we remain competitive
in the new energy economy; and repeal tax breaks for profit-rich oil
companies and invest that money in clean renewable energy technologies
and in much needed research and development.
The evidence that we need to change our reliance on fossil fuels has
never been clearer. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change has issued its latest, and most dire, report on what we
can expect if we do not immediately reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
The IPCC has said that worldwide carbon emissions must fall by at least
50 percent by 2050 to limit a temperature rise of about three degrees
Fahrenheit and prevent the worst climate impacts from occurring.
By passing the Energy Independence and Security Act, we are taking
the first step in developing a policy for reducing carbon emissions. I
pledge to work diligently with my colleagues to take additional steps
in 2008, and urge adoption of this important legislation.
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I'm amazed that the Democrats took
so long to write such a bad bill. I would laugh if this was any
laughing matter, but designing the Nation's energy policy is among the
most serious responsibilities of the Congress. H.R. 6 has recklessly
been designed by radical environmentalists to achieve many of their
long-term goals, including significantly raising the price of energy
used by Americans, vastly reducing American manufacturing and mining
jobs, increasing federal control over rural Western communities, and
reducing and further locking-up the use of our vast God-given coal, oil
and gas, oil shale, and timber resources.
This bill reaches into every American's bank account and steals vast
amounts of hard earned dollars. As a result of this bill, gasoline will
be much more expensive, electricity in all areas of the country will go
up with many areas with huge increases, home heating oil will continue
to surge to record levels, and natural gas prices will literally go
through the roof. This bill, a work of exceeding incompetence, is the
greatest holiday gift to the OPEC oil cartel ever given by a sovereign
nation.
Although there are a few provisions in this bill that are
appropriate, the vast expanse of this bill is an abomination. If it
becomes law, the Democrats who supported it will have to answer to the
American people.
Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to also briefly discuss various
provisions in order to more fully explain the statutory language and to
provide context for what we are accomplishing with this historic energy
bill.
Section 3 of the bill states: ``Except to the extent expressly
provided in this Act, or in an amendment made by this Act, nothing in
this Act or an amendment made by this act supersedes, limits the
authority or responsibility conferred by, or authorizes any violation
of any provision of law (including a regulation), including any energy
or environmental law or regulation.''
The laws and regulations referred to in section 3 include, but are
not limited to, the Clean Air Act and any regulations promulgated under
Clean Air Act authority. It is the intent of Congress to fully preserve
existing federal and state authority under the Clean Air Act.
In addition, Congress does not intend, by including provisions in
Title I of the bill that reform and alter the authority of the
Secretary of Transportation to increase fuel economy standards for
passenger automobiles, non-passenger automobiles, work trucks, and
medium and heavy duty trucks, to in any way supersede or limit the
authority and/or responsibility conferred by sections 177, 202, and 209
of the Clean Air Act. (For section 202 of the Clean Air Act, this
includes but is not limited to the authority and responsibility
affirmed by the Supreme Court's April 2, 2007 decision in Massachusetts
v. EPA (No. 05-1120), and, for sections 177 and 209 of the Clean Air
Act, this includes but is not limited to the authority affirmed by the
September 12, 2007 decision of
[[Page 32493]]
the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont in Green Mountain
Chrysler Dodge Jeep et al. v. Crombie et al. (No. 2:05-cv-302).
Title 1 of the bill addresses CAFE Standards. Section 102(a) would
require that the fleet of new passenger and non-passenger vehicles made
for sale in model year 2020 reach a fleet-wide fuel economy average of
at least 35 miles per gallon, regardless of shifts in the market or any
other consideration. While fuel economy standards for each of model
years 2011-2019 are expected to be the maximum feasible standard, this
section does not allow the Department of Transportation (DOT) to set a
fleet-wide average of lower than 35 miles per gallon for model year
2020 under any circumstances. In addition, if the maximum feasible
level for model year 2020 is higher than 35 miles per gallon due to
technological progress and/or other factors, Congress intends to
require DOT to set standards at the maximum feasible level.
It is also the intent of this section to require DOT to set interim
standards between 2011 and 2019 to make rapid and consistent annual
progress towards achieving the 35 mpg minimum by 2020. In asking for
``ratable'' progress, the intent of Congress is to seek relatively
consistent proportional increases in fuel economy standards each year,
such that no single year through 2020 should experience a significantly
higher increase than the previous year.
Section 104 addresses credit trading among and within automakers'
vehicle fleets, and is intended to increase flexibility for automakers,
but it is the intent of Congress that any trading not in any way reduce
the oil savings achieved by the standards set for any year under this
title.
Section 105 is intended to provide added information for consumers,
but is not intended to in any way interfere with or diminish EPA
labeling authority. Congress intends that DOT work closely with EPA in
fulfilling the requirements of this section.
Section 106 is intended to clarify that Title I does not impact fuel
economy standards or the standard-setting process for vehicles
manufactured before model year 2011. This section is not intended to
codify, or otherwise support or reject, any standards applying before
model year 2011, and is not intended to reverse, supersede, overrule,
or in any way limit the November 15, 2007 decision of the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Center for Biological Diversity v.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (No. 06-71891)
Section 109 makes modifications to the cap on the credits allowed to
manufacturers making dual-fuel vehicles to ensure that the dual-fuel
vehicle credit program is phased out and is fully and permanently
eliminated by 2020 and thereafter.
I urge the Secretary to pay careful heed to the intent and spirit of
these provisions in carrying out the provisions of this Title, so that
we achieve the Bill's goals of increasing the fuel efficiency of our
cars, SUVs, and other vehicles.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, we know what is possible for our Nation if
we choose to move seriously and quickly down the path to energy
independence. We know what this choice means.
Energy independence means demanding more efficiency and smarter
technology for our cars, homes, businesses and industry. Energy
independence means investing in our communities and creating the
resources and workforce necessary for expanding markets. It means
developing new technologies that create new jobs through America's
economic backbone: our innovation industries.
If we want to make opportunity real for more Americans--if we want to
keep our Nation strong even as our new economy continues to change--
there is no better way to do it than by investing in a new energy
future.
The Energy Independence and Security Act meets our obligations as a
Nation at every point along the spectrum: promoting renewable energy,
growing our economy, creating new jobs, lowering energy prices, and
beginning to address global warming.
We are taking on an initiative more ambitious than ever, to be sure,
but nothing less will secure our Nation's energy future.
Of course, our energy challenges have never been more urgent--
threatening our environment, our economy, and our national security--
but we have been dealing with many of these issues for quite a while:
As far back as 1925, Henry Ford touted ethanol as the fuel of the
future.
Well, more than eight decades later we still have some work to do
when it comes to potential solutions like biofuels, especially in my
region of the country. There are still no E85 fueling stations in
Connecticut, and the first public biodiesel station in the State opened
just last week.
We must understand that despite some of the current drawbacks of
corn-derived ethanol, biofuels are a critical first step--not so much a
panacea or a solution, but a transition into a more sustainable process
toward cellulosic ethanol.
But the real question is: How do we respond? How do we in New England
respond when access remains limited? And how do we as a Congress
respond right now, as families and businesses across America struggle
with skyrocketing gas prices and escalating home heating costs. Do we
bury our head in the sand or do we aspire to achieve something great.
If we give consumers and businesses the opportunity to be it part of a
real transformation, our entire Nation will reap the benefits.
It is already happening: Last year, I was very proud to help unveil
the first large-scale biodiesel plant in my State, in the town of
Bethlehem. Today, the BioPur Company is producing over 400,000 gallons
of pure biodiesel annually and plans to double production within a year
to meet the growing demand.
Spurring that kind of change is why I came to the Congress, and I
believe it is at the core of our mission on the Agriculture
Appropriations Subcommittee which I chair.
With this year's House Agriculture Appropriations spending bill we
made significant new investment--$1.2 billion; a 215 percent increase
over the president's request--to promote renewable energy,
strengthening research and education to make biofuels a priority and
moving us further down the path to energy independence.
And we can do that again today by passing the Energy Independence and
Security Act, providing a historic commitment to the homegrown biofuels
that will fuel our cars and trucks: diversifying our energy crops from
coast to coast with a robust increase in the renewable fuels standard;
requiring 9 billion gallons of renewable fuels in 2008 and
progressively increasing to a 36 billion gallon requirement by 2022;
incentives to boost their production and increase the number of flex
fuel and hybrid vehicles.
And, of course, we are taking the long overdue step to increase
vehicle efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020--Providing
the automobile industry the certainty it needs, while offering
flexibility to automakers and ensuring that we keep American
manufacturing jobs and continue domestic production of fuel efficient
vehicles.
The Union of Concerned Scientists, UCS, reports that these higher
standards will cut oil imports by 1.1 million barrels per day in 2020.
That is about half the amount we currently import from the entire
Persian Gulf. If these standards had already been in place this year,
the average driver would have used 160 fewer gallons of gas, and saved
$500. But let's not look back, when we can move forward and embrace
tomorrow's great challenges.
This is an investment in the generations to come. But we also have it
responsibility to working and middle class families today. A 2006 study
from the National Renewable Energy Lab, NREL, identified the shortage
of skills and training as a leading non-technical barrier to renewable
energy and energy efficiency growth. The NREL study identified a number
of critical unmet training needs, including lack of reliable
installation, maintenance, and inspection services, the shortage of key
technical and manufacturing skills, and failure of the educational
system to provide adequate training in new technologies.
That is why this bill authorizes $125 million to establish national
and state job training programs in the renewable energy and energy
efficiency fields, training a quality workforce for ``green'' collar
jobs--such as solar panel manufacturer and green building construction
worker.
In Connecticut we have already seen the local job growth that comes
with investment and innovation in biofuel and fuel cell technology.
Now, for example, this bill provides an 8-year extension of a tax
credit for investments in fuel-cell properties with a credit of $3,000
per kilowatt capacity--expressed in the tax code as $1,500 per half
kilowatt capacity--or 30 percent, whichever is less. Looking forward,
we know that major investments in renewable energy could create 3
million green jobs nationally over 10 years.
And we are doing it responsibly. This legislation does not add to the
deficit and all revenue offsets resulted from bipartisan negotiations.
It is time to stop talking about energy independence and start moving
toward it. The American people get that and they want us to act today.
It is no wonder this bill has won the support and praise from such a
broad coalition of environmental, business and labor organizations--
from farm groups to faith groups, from the United Auto Workers to the
U.S.
[[Page 32494]]
Conference of Mayors. For years, President Bush has talked about
breaking our addiction to fossil fuel, State of the Union after State
of the Union. But now that he actually has an opportunity to make good
on that promise, it seems he would rather make a hollow political
gesture with his veto pen.
We deserve better. This bill represents a critical turning point and
bold statement: On the path toward energy independence, the status quo
is not an option. There is nothing America cannot achieve if we put our
minds to it, harnessing our future to our own spirit of ingenuity and
innovation.
Mr. CAMP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, this bill is a failure on the most
basic points: It fails to drive down prices at the gas pumps; it fails
to lower home heating bills; and it fails to reduce our reliance on
foreign crude oil. Worse yet, this bill actually increases our reliance
on oil from the Middle East and increases taxes by $20 billion on
American manufacturers.
Had this bill been crafted in a bipartisan fashion, instead of in a
secret marathon session that produced a bill only this morning, we
might have a bill that actually helps families and businesses dealing
with record energy costs, and we might have a bill that actually helps
us transition to more environmentally friendly fuels.
Unfortunately, what we do have--in addition to a new $20 billion tax
bill--are Federal mandates that States cannot possibly comply with, a
slush fund worth billions of dollars that lacks any oversight, and more
advisory committees and task forces.
I am particularly concerned about this $3 billion in new government
spending to subsidize projects that have nothing to do with lowering
energy prices. Instead of lowering prices for consumers, this bill
allows the Beverly Hills police department to buy hybrid Lexuses and a
fake rainforest to be built in Iowa. In my view, this $3 billion should
be spent on helping Americans better afford their high home heating
costs.
As a Member from Michigan, I would be remiss if I did not talk about
the CAFE standards in this bill. To suggest this bill is the best
America's automakers could get says much about this Congress. If
President Coolidge's quote that ``The business of America is business''
expressed overconfidence in the American economy, this bill expresses
at best a disdain for American automobile manufacturers and at worst an
outright hostility to the work we do in Michigan.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6,
the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of
2007.
Let me congratulate Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Dingell, and the House
Democratic leadership for bringing this legislation to the floor for a
new direction for America's energy independence.
Anyone who has filled up a gas tank in the past year knows that gas
prices are highly volatile and too high for the average American. Yet
while Americans are struggling to make ends meet, oil companies are
making record profits. As a former North Carolina small businessman,
and a part-time farmer, I believe that it is our duty to find
alternatives to what has become a dangerous reliance on foreign oil.
And let me be clear, our Nation has the capability to gain its energy
independence. H.R. 6 will move us close to this goal by promoting the
use of renewable fuel. This legislation will create a fund, which will
be used to extend and expand tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel,
extend loan guarantees to farmers to produce renewable energy, and
increase the use of flex fuel vehicles.
Today we have the technology to solve our energy crisis growing in
our fields. We have the ability to turn soybeans and peanuts, both
grown in large numbers in my home State of North Carolina, into
biodiesel, and the technology to turn sugarcane and corn into ethanol.
What we haven't had up to this point is the leadership to develop the
infrastructure needed to facilitate the use of these fuels.
The legislation before us today will begin to do just that. I
encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 6.
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, the energy bill before us today raises the
bar and sets new, higher standards for us as a Nation and all I can say
is ``It's about time.''
It's about time we raised CAFE standards to a level to be competitive
with the rest of the world. Allowing these standards to fall behind is
an embarrassment for a country that should be a role model for other
countries in technology and efficiency.
It's about time that we had a nationwide renewable energy standard.
Renewable energy in some form is available in every corner of this
Nation. We need to invest in it and make it work for us and for a
cleaner future for our children. Setting a standard at 15 percent is a
good start.
And it's about time that we work toward making cleaner fuels for our
automobiles. That's why I'm proud language is included in this bill
that i authored with the gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Bartlett, which
sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the production
and use of biofuels.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and move our
energy policy forward for our children and grandchildren. It's about
time.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the
Energy Independence and Security Act and the long-overdue measures it
contains--including reasonable increases in CAFE standards--to help our
Nation conserve energy and to lower the energy costs that weigh so
heavily on our citizens.
I applaud Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Oberstar, and all of the Members
who have worked on this measure for their foresighted leadership on
this Act and for their dedication to completing the hard work necessary
to bring this Act to the floor today.
As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, I will draw particular attention to the Short Sea
Shipping Initiative created in this Act.
This Initiative will support the expansion of short sea shipping--
which is simply the alliterative name of shipping voyages between two
points in the United States or between Canada and the United States.
At the present time, trucks carry nearly 70 percent of the freight
tonnage transported in the United States. By contrast, the most highly
developed water freight transportation routes in the U.S.--those
running on the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence
Seaway--carry just 13 percent of freight tonnage in the United States.
The Short Sea Shipping Initiative seeks to make water a mode
competitive with roads and rails by supporting the development of the
vessels used in short sea shipping voyages as well as of the port and
landside infrastructure needed to load and unload those vessels.
Specifically, the Act will make vessels built under the Jones Act in
the United States eligible for assistance from the Capital Construction
Fund administered by the United States Maritime Administration, MARAD.
As I know there has been debate on this point, I emphasize that MARAD
shall exercise sole authority to determine issues relating to operation
of a qualified program vessel in the short sea trade.
We further expect that to ensure this program is initiated right
away, the Secretary of Transportation shall work to revise current
regulations to conform to this legislation while also approving Fund
contributions and withdrawals related to eligible short sea shipping
transportation projects immediately.
As I close, I want to note that additional measures can still be
taken to promote the development of short sea shipping. Perhaps the
most important among them is to exempt these voyages from the Harbor
Maintenance Tax. H.R. 1499, which I authored, would achieve that
exemption and I thank Chairman Charlie Rangel for continuing to work
with me to advance this legislation.
I again commend Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Oberstar, and all who have
worked so diligently to help reduce our dependence on foreign and non-
renewable energy sources.
With that, I urge adoption of the Energy Independence and Security
Act.
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, this bill is a step in the wrong direction.
Our current focus should be on rebalancing our energy portfolio and
responsibly accessing and managing our domestic energy resources to
decrease our dependence on foreign countries. This legislation does not
improve our energy security in any way. The included Renewable Fuel
Standard mandates biofuel production levels which increase our Nation's
dependence on the same supply source for both our energy and our food.
Basing laws on unavailable technologies and taxing the industry that
actually provides energy to the country now, does nothing to decrease
our dependence on foreign countries' oil and gas.
I offered an amendment to strike the manufactured language in Sect.
413 of the bill. The bill in its current form would have detrimental
effects on the industry, which is a significant contributor to the
Indiana economy, and it would undoubtedly result in higher manufactured
home prices for consumers.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has an ongoing
stakeholder process to improve energy efficiency of manufactured
housing. The HUD process strives for cost-effective efficiency
standards that add real value for consumers and keep the overall
product affordable. Section 413 would inject the Department of Energy
into the process.
[[Page 32495]]
Consumers and manufacturers fear that DOE's ``price-is-no-object''
track record on efficiency standards will mean that manufactured
housing will be priced out of the lower and moderate income markets,
harming consumers and costing jobs in the industry. Meanwhile, it will
not help energy efficiency since the alternative, stick-built homes,
have no national energy standards. Improving the energy efficiency of
homes is important, and it is necessary that these efforts take into
account cost criteria as well. The manufactured housing industry is
already working to meet efficiency standards previously legislated in
the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000. This energy bill's
manufactured housing language would only add confusion by creating a
duplicative program while simultaneously increasing the price of
housing.
At a time when the United States' housing market is unsettled,
Congress should be making use of every opportunity to assist the
average American in their dream of homeownership. This energy bill
would make an affordable housing option unaffordable for many
Americans.
The Renewable Portfolio Standard in this bill also concerns me
acutely. Without regard for the effect it will have on consumers'
electricity costs, this standard would require States' investor owned
utilities to meet 15 percent of their power generation with renewable
energy. Coal is conspicuously absent from the list of acceptable fuels.
Indiana has a 250 year supply of alternative energy in the form of
coal. Coal is Indiana's most prevalent energy resource, and I cannot
support a bill that does not take that into account. I cannot support a
bill that increases our reliance on foreign countries for energy,
limits States' access to their own resources, and drives up the costs
of electricity for hard working Hoosiers when they are already
shouldering higher gas prices, and home heating costs. Furthermore, the
bill does not include nuclear energy as an acceptable source. This is
most confusing because the bill claims to be about addressing
greenhouse gas emissions, and nuclear energy emits no Carbon Dioxide.
Responsible Federal policy does not walk all over States' rights,
disregarding their unique economies and natural resources.
Democrats declare this bill an answer to rising energy costs, but it
will only increase energy prices for Americans, and Hoosiers.
This is bad energy policy for our country. It is bad for consumers'
pocketbooks, bad for Indiana and bad for my constituents. I urge my
colleagues to vote no on Senate Amendments to H.R. 6.
Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong
support of the Energy Independence and Security Act. With this
legislation, the new Democratic Congress is leading America in a new
direction on energy policy.
This is the most significant energy bill in a generation. The House
is taking a major step toward ending our dependence on foreign oil by
increasing efficiency standards for cars and trucks for the first time
in over 30 years. This will reduce America's need for oil by 1.1
million gallons per day, cut emissions almost 27 million tons per year,
and save Minnesota families up to $1,000 every year.
The Energy Independence and Security Act is Congress's most serious
effort to combat global climate change to date. The bill includes the
first ever national Renewable Energy Standard requiring utilities to
generate at least 15 percent of the electricity we use from renewable
sources, including wind, solar, biomass and geothermal sources. In
addition, it also implements landmark energy efficiency standards for
appliances, lighting, and buildings, which will significantly reduce
our emissions, while saving American families and businesses billions
of dollars in unnecessary energy costs.
By setting new priorities, the House can do all this while also
cutting costs for consumers and creating millions of new high-paying,
high-skill ``green'' jobs. This legislation repeals $21 billion in
taxpayer subsidies for highly profitable oil and gas companies and
redirects these needed resources into developing America's new clean
energy economy. This money will be invested in research and development
so that American auto makers will produce the next generation of hybrid
and electric cars. It will allow 3 million Americans to receive job
training for new green jobs, and provide assistance for small
businesses to reap the benefits of this growing industry. It will
ensure that power plants become cleaner through tax credits for
investments in clean power and the long overdue implementation of
carbon capture and sequestration technologies. Moreover, Minnesota
farmers will benefit from its historic commitment to homegrown
biofuels--replacing Middle East crude with Midwest crops.
It is time to make America more secure, more prosperous and more
environmentally sustainable. I urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting a new direction in energy policy.
Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I rise with disappointment in the lack of
pro-energy and pro-consumer provisions contained in the Democrat energy
bill being considered on the House floor today. I strongly oppose
passage of the House Amendment to H.R. 6 and urge my colleagues to join
me in defeating this bill. We should work in a bipartisan manner to
pass real solutions for America's growing energy needs.
The American economy has ups and downs. But overall it continues to
grow, producing jobs for American workers. To keep pace with our
economy, more reliable and sustainable sources of energy are needed.
Conservation, innovative and efficient energy technologies, renewable
forms of energy and of course traditional sources of energy all must
play a role in our energy future.
I am pleased the bill included an increase in fuel efficiency
standards from 25 miles per gallon to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. As a
cosponsor of H.R. 2927 that would increase the corporate average fuel
economy, CAFE, standards for automobiles, I believe we must not waste
any more time in making our vehicles more fuel efficient. I support
increasing the CAFE standards and hope we can work together with the
private sector to achieve this worthy goal.
Unfortunately, the Democrat's closed-door energy bill containing more
than 1,000 pages is not the kind of solution the American people
deserve. Rather than work together to pass a more complete and
comprehensive plan to address our energy needs, Democrat leadership has
chosen to forego their pledge to work with Republicans on important
policy matters. The result is an energy bill that will lead to higher
electric utility bills, drive up gasoline prices at the pump,
discriminately raise taxes on manufacturers of domestic energy and
depress exploration efforts to find additional sources of domestic
energy.
The bill fails to include proven, reliable energy production methods
such as nuclear energy for lowering emissions into our atmosphere.
Instead, the House Amendment to H.R. 6 mandates a one-size-fits-all
Renewable Portfolio Standard for some electric utility companies while
exempting other electric utilities. I support utility companies
investing in and offering renewable energy to customers, and I support
incentives for increased production of renewable energy. Many Kansas
farmers and landowners are already participants in wind and bio fuel
production, and Kansas has potential to do even more.
But Congress must exercise great caution when attempting to mandate
levels of renewable fuels that must be used by electric power
companies. Many of our Nation's electric companies are presently
investing billions of dollars in renewable energy projects--not because
they are mandated by the Federal Government, but because market forces
have led them to do so. By mandating higher levels of renewable energy
for power generation than the market naturally supports, ratepayers are
going to be stuck with higher electric bills.
I cannot think of a single constituent who has asked me to support
higher electric bills. This Democrat bill is not an energy solution
that is good for Kansas, and it is not a good solution for America.
Great harm will particularly fall upon America's poor and middle
class customers as a result of increased electric rates. Senior
citizens who are living on fixed incomes and families on tight budgets
should not be forced to suffer because of ill-thought Federal mandates
on select electric utilities and their customers.
Another section of the House Amendment to H.R. 6 mandates a Federal
Renewable Energy Standard that will require unrealistic quantities of
biofuel. For example, the Democrat energy bill mandates that 100
million gallons of cellulosic biofuel be included in our fuel supply by
2010. However, commercially viable production of cellulosic fuel is
only projected to be 27 million gallons by 2010. As a strong supporter
of cellulosic biofuel, I hope American ingenuity will help us surpass
current projections. The Federal Government should encourage private-
sector innovation that has long been a hallmark of America's history.
But the Federal Government should not be mandating on the private
sector requirements that are not commercially tested and far exceed
industry projections. Reckless mandates will result in increased fuel
costs for consumers.
I am also disappointed that the House Amendment to H.R. 6 contains
more than $21 billion in tax increases that will negatively impact
American jobs. By raising taxes on the oil and gas industry, we are
driving up manufacturing costs making domestic companies less
competitive. Raising taxes on oil and gas companies will not reduce
prices at the pump, and
[[Page 32496]]
it certainly will not help ease our dependence on foreign oil. If
anything, it will make us more dependent on foreign oil and will cause
energy prices to increase.
Raising taxes on the energy sector will inevitably be passed to
consumers at the pump. If the Democrat energy tax increase is passed,
motorists will consider today's $3 gasoline to be a cheap deal.
Families and small businesses in Kansas do not want higher fuel costs,
which is why I refuse to accept a plan that raises the price of
gasoline.
By raising billions of dollars through tax increases imposed on the
oil and gas manufacturing industry, but not raising taxes on other
manufacturing sectors, Congress picks winners and losers and American
manufacturing jobs suffer.
Instead of encouraging more domestic energy exploration, production
and investment, the Democrat energy bill instead makes these activities
more expensive for American companies trying to supply America with
energy.
This bill is woefully inadequate when it comes to American energy
independence. It harms consumers by raising energy costs. And it wreaks
havoc on American manufacturing jobs.
I urge my colleagues to reject this proposal.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
Pursuant to House Resolution 846, the previous question is ordered.
The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Dingell).
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. BOUCHER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15-
minute vote on the motion to concur will be followed by a 5-minute vote
on the motion to suspend the rules on H.R. 2085.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 235,
nays 181, not voting 16, as follows:
[Roll No. 1140]
YEAS--235
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Allen
Altmire
Andrews
Arcuri
Baca
Baldwin
Bean
Becerra
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Bono
Boswell
Boucher
Boyda (KS)
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Brown, Corrine
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carney
Castle
Castor
Chandler
Clarke
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello
Courtney
Cramer
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis, Lincoln
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Donnelly
Doyle
Edwards
Ellison
Ellsworth
Emanuel
Engel
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Frank (MA)
Gerlach
Giffords
Gillibrand
Gonzalez
Gordon
Green, Al
Grijalva
Hall (NY)
Hare
Harman
Hastings (FL)
Hayes
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hodes
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hoyer
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones (OH)
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind
Kirk
Klein (FL)
Kucinich
LaHood
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lee
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lynch
Mahoney (FL)
Maloney (NY)
Markey
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum (MN)
McDermott
McGovern
McIntyre
McNerney
McNulty
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Michaud
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Mitchell
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy, Patrick
Murtha
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peterson (MN)
Pomeroy
Price (NC)
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Reichert
Reyes
Richardson
Rodriguez
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Sestak
Shays
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Shuler
Sires
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Space
Spratt
Stark
Stupak
Sutton
Tanner
Tauscher
Taylor
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Towns
Tsongas
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden (OR)
Walz (MN)
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Welch (VT)
Wexler
Wilson (OH)
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Yarmuth
NAYS--181
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Bachmann
Bachus
Baker
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boehner
Bonner
Boozman
Boren
Boustany
Boyd (FL)
Brady (TX)
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Carter
Chabot
Coble
Conaway
Crenshaw
Culberson
Davis (KY)
Davis, David
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Doolittle
Drake
Dreier
Duncan
Ehlers
Emerson
English (PA)
Everett
Fallin
Ferguson
Flake
Forbes
Fortenberry
Fossella
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gingrey
Gohmert
Goode
Goodlatte
Graves
Green, Gene
Hall (TX)
Hastings (WA)
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Hobson
Hoekstra
Hulshof
Hunter
Inglis (SC)
Issa
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jordan
Keller
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kline (MN)
Knollenberg
Kuhl (NY)
Lamborn
Lampson
Latham
LaTourette
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Manzullo
Marchant
Marshall
McCarthy (CA)
McCaul (TX)
McCotter
McCrery
McHenry
McHugh
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
Melancon
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moran (KS)
Murphy, Tim
Musgrave
Myrick
Neugebauer
Pearce
Pence
Peterson (PA)
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Porter
Price (GA)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Regula
Rehberg
Renzi
Reynolds
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Roskam
Royce
Ryan (WI)
Sali
Saxton
Schmidt
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Smith (NE)
Smith (TX)
Souder
Stearns
Sullivan
Tancredo
Terry
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Upton
Walberg
Walsh (NY)
Wamp
Weldon (FL)
Weller
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--16
Baird
Carson
Cole (OK)
Cubin
Feeney
Gilchrest
Granger
Gutierrez
Hooley
Jindal
Lucas
Miller, Gary
Nunes
Ortiz
Paul
Young (AK)
{time} 1531
So the motion was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________