The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“H.R. 5429--AMERICAN-MADE ENERGY AND GOOD JOBS ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1020 on June 6, 2006.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
H.R. 5429--AMERICAN-MADE ENERGY AND GOOD JOBS ACT
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HON. RUSH D. HOLT
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, before the Memorial Day recess, we considered the misnamed and misguided American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act (H.R. 5429). I voted against this legislation, which unfortunately passed the House of Representatives. As I have repeatedly stated, we must make a commitment to a rational energy policy that promotes sustainable energy sources and conservation; not continue the belief that we are going to drill our way to energy independence.
Two weeks ago we considered the Fiscal Year 2007 Energy and Water Appropriations bill which funds our Nation's Department of Energy programs, water and science programs, and some defense and agriculture related programs. Unfortunately, instead of making a commitment to a rational energy policy, the Energy and Water bill continues our dependence on fossil fuels and continues our practice of poisoning our lands, oceans, and air. While the Energy and Water bill does increase funding for alternative energy research and development, we must do more. I was pleased to learn that energy supply and conservation programs will receive more funding in Fiscal Year 07 than they did last year. However, this is not even close to sufficient. Congress still fails to recognize the dire situation the world faces with regard to global warming and the urgency of the action we must take. It is apparent now to all but the willingly blind that we are altering our climate in dangerous and deadly ways, and that is threatening the ability of the air and the oceans to sustain us.
We then considered a bill that will once again allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I wonder when my colleagues will learn that drilling our way to energy independence is unrealistic and simply flawed logic. The United States consumes 25 percent of the world's oil, yet we only have less than 3 percent of the world's proven oil reserves. Even if we find oil in ANWR, we will not even come close to lessening our dependence on foreign oil.
We must focus on developing sustainable energy sources and encouraging conservation. We can do this by investing in programs that make our schools, office buildings and homes energy efficient. We must continue to invest in transportation systems that optimize technology to efficiently and effectively move passengers while consuming less energy. In 2005 the Energy Information Administration estimated that if oil was discovered in ANWR, it would only lower gas prices by about one penny per gallon twenty years from now. Responding to rising gas prices by drilling is simply not the answer.
My colleague from New York, Mr. Boehlert, pointed out during debate on the House floor, that we have not considered one piece of conservation legislation since the most recent spike in gas prices in May of this year. When will we realize that there are other means to fulfilling our energy needs than destroying our environment and disrupting habitat and wildlife?
It is essential for us to do something dramatic. It is not enough for us to just do a little bit better every year. This is the only way to actually work our way to energy independence. Now is the time for my colleagues to make a commitment to alternative energy sources. We must continue to fight to preserve our environment and develop energy sources that are clean, safe, and sustainable.
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