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“GEOTHERMAL ENERGY INITIATIVE ACT OF 2004” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H2398-H2399 on April 27, 2004.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY INITIATIVE ACT OF 2004
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of this Congress legislation that I have recently introduced.
The Geothermal Energy Initiative of 2004, H.R. 4094, is legislation that addresses a critically underdeveloped energy segment of our national renewable energy portfolio. The problem was cited in a January 2004 Associated Press article which stated that the Federal Government has a backlog of 230 lease applications for the prospect of the utilization of geothermal energy.
This Associated Press article also stated that the average age of an application for the prospect of geothermal sites is 9 years.
February 2004 supply projections from the American Gas Association show that natural gas supplies will remain tight into the foreseeable future and will result in continued high prices. The high cost of natural gas affects electricity and home heating costs.
In March of 2004, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's climate monitoring laboratory reported that carbon dioxide levels in our environment are rising at alarming rates. Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming that disrupts climate and causes seas to rise.
The last national resource assessment of geothermal sites in the United States was completed in 1978. There have been substantial improvements in technology and advances in geological sciences in the intervening 26 years.
Clearly, there is a lack of resources and priority in the Department of the Interior concerning geothermal energy efforts.
Now, in the current situation, most of our Nation's geothermal power plants were built in the mid-1980s and early 1990s when our energy markets were searching for alternative energy investments. Unfortunately, since that time, there has been a significant decline of focus on geothermal energy. Specifically, the Department of the Interior has steadily de-emphasized the geothermal energy program in the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Geological Survey.
We must restore that focus. I believe we have an important opportunity to reemphasize this vital energy sector and greatly enhance our Nation's renewable energy portfolio.
For example, the Bush administration has repeatedly championed the need to expand our renewable energy sources and to prioritize the development of our country's geothermal energy sources.
Department of the Interior Secretary Gail Norton and Department of Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham have jointly stated their commitment to increasing our energy security by expanding the use of indigenous resources on Federal lands, while accelerating protection of the environment.
That is not a true assessment as I see it, however. In fact, a 2003 report from the Department of Energy found that California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington State have the greatest potential for quick development of geothermal resources. Both those Secretaries, Norton and Abraham, should look at this report. In fact, the study listed nine top sites in California and 10 in Nevada.
Unfortunately, progress has not been made by either one of these departments. That is why I have introduced the Geothermal Energy Initiative of 2004, so that Congress, this administration and States can all work in concert.
The Geothermal Energy Initiative Act of 2004 is straightforward legislation that will do the following: authorize the update of the 26-
year-old national assessment of geothermal resource. Significant advances in energy development technology and advances in geological sciences need to be harnessed to better understand and manage our geothermal resources.
We must provide financial incentives to encourage the development of geothermal resources by expanding the production tax credit to include geothermal resources.
Direct the Federal land management agencies to responsibly consider geothermal resources in their land use planning process. The initiative also provides direction to assist in streamlining the permit approval process.
Provide provisions to defray costs associated with preparation of documents and analysis for compliance with Federal environmental protection regulations.
Speaking from a California perspective for a moment, the immediate benefits of this initiative is the enormous positive impact that it will have on air quality and quality of life. For example, it has been estimated that when geothermal resources associated with California are developed, they will replace half the fossil fuel-generated electricity for California.
This benefit alone would help thousands of asthma sufferers in the Los Angeles basin. Also, the addition of geothermal energy will help relieve the high cost of electricity and provide families with more disposable income.
Jobs continue to be a top priority for States and localities. As our country works toward rebuilding our job base, due to the loss of textile and manufacturing jobs that have moved overseas, my legislation offers communities a new economic base and the opportunity for economic growth.
Most geothermal generating facilities are located in rural areas where jobs tend to be scarce. A recent economic development study documents the tremendous job opportunities associated with geothermal generation facilities. Building a 50 megawatt geothermal power plant would create hundreds of immediate construction and related development jobs as well as approximately 30 to 50 permanent full-time jobs at the facility.
Considering the economic multiplier effect, this would mean at least 150 to 200 new jobs in the community.
Given the long operating life of existing geothermal plans, they are a stable and reliable part of the community's economic base. These facilities have a proven record of providing millions of dollars in property taxes and royalties to county and State treasuries. These funds help schools and community infrastructure.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, geothermal energy development sustains renewable energy efforts including compliance with renewable portfolio standards. It is consistent with the wind energy sources. Geothermal power plants recycle their spent hot water back into the aquifer they are developed on. So this is truly renewable.
I ask my colleagues to strongly support this legislation.
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