[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 46 (Monday, November 20, 2000)]
[Pages 2832-2833]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Energy Act of 2000

November 9, 2000

    Today I have signed into law H.R. 2884, the ``Energy Act of 2000.'' 
This Act extends

[[Page 2833]]

key authorities that aid management of energy emergencies, specifies the 
conditions under which the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve can be 
used, and updates the operating rules for the Weatherization Assistance 
Program.
    The Act reauthorizes the operation of the Strategic Petroleum 
Reserve, a critical line of defense against the threat of energy 
shortages that can cripple our economy. Extension of the direct 
authority for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve guarantees that the full 
range of means will be available to any Administration that may need to 
take actions necessary to secure our Nation's energy supplies.
    The Act also restores the limited antitrust protection for U.S. oil 
companies assisting the Department of Energy and the International 
Energy Agency in planning for and responding to an oil emergency. With 
this protection, these companies can continue their vital participation 
in preparing and implementing a coordinated and effective response.
    As I also requested, the Act provides authority to establish and use 
a Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve with a capacity of up to 2 million 
barrels. This Reserve will serve New England and the upper Mid- Atlantic 
States where consumers rely to a great extent on heating oil to heat 
their homes. Creation of the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve was a 
priority of my Administration, and I am pleased the Congress provided 
bi-partisan support for its inclusion in this Act.
    The Act also amends the Department of Energy's Weatherization 
Assistance Program, a program that reduces heating and cooling costs for 
low-income Americans by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. 
These changes will make it easier for States to provide timely energy 
weatherization services and include a repeal of a financially burdensome 
cost-sharing requirement for the States.
    Unfortunately, this Act also contains an objectionable provision 
that transfers licensing authority for small hydroelectric projects in 
Alaska from Federal jurisdiction to the State of Alaska. I remain 
strongly opposed to this provision because it could erode the Federal 
Power Act's uniform system for licensing hydroelectric projects in the 
United States and impair the Federal Government's ability to protect 
Federally managed resources.
    The Act also amends the President's existing authority, under 
section 161(h) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, to draw down 
the Strategic Petroleum Reserve by making exercise of the authority 
dependent upon a finding by the Secretary of Defense that the drawdown 
would not impair national security. This amendment is objectionable 
because, in effect, it conditions the exercise of judgmental authority 
by the President upon the agreement of one of his subordinates.
    Despite these objectionable features, I believe that the Act 
demonstrates this Nation's and my own commitment to providing for a more 
secure energy future, and I am pleased to sign it today.
                                            William J. Clinton
 The White House,
 November 9, 2000.

Note: H.R. 2884, approved November 9, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
469. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.