[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20519]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Fiscal 
Year 2010 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act (H.R. 3183). This Appropriations Act makes important 
investments to move America toward a clean energy economy. I thank 
Chairman Obey, the House leadership, and my colleagues on the House 
Appropriations Committee for their hard work on this legislation.
  A transition to clean, renewable sources of energy is critical for 
America's national security, economic prosperity, and environmental 
stewardship. One of the most effective strategies for reducing 
America's dependence on foreign oil and polluting fossil fuels is to 
decrease our energy consumption. This bill invests $2.25 billion in 
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs at the Department of 
Energy, a 14 percent increase over fiscal year 2009. This funding will 
enhance the development of next-generation vehicle technologies, 
support research on conservation technologies for buildings and 
industry, and help struggling families save money and energy through 
the weatherization assistance program.
  Improvements in energy efficiency must be coupled with the 
development of new, 21st century energy technologies. This bill invests 
$4.9 billion for the Office of Science--funds that will support 
development of new energy technologies to modernize America's economy 
and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. As we develop these new 
energy technologies, our country must have a modern energy grid 
equipped to transport clean energy across the country. This bill 
provides $208 million--52 percent over 2009--for modernization of our 
energy grid. This will allow wind energy produced in my state of 
Minnesota to be transported to areas across the country that have high 
energy demand but fewer or less accessible renewable energy resources.
  While this bill is very strong overall, I have concerns that it could 
do more to move our country toward a permanent storage solution for our 
accumulating nuclear waste. After spending 20 years and billions of 
dollars on Yucca Mountain, the federal government is about to suspend 
this project and start over. Finding a long-term solution to America's 
nuclear waste storage problem is the federal government's 
responsibility, and I urge this Congress and this Administration to 
make this issue a priority.
  The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations 
Act of 2010 is a significant step toward a clean, secure energy future 
for America. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this bill.

                          ____________________