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.
“PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3816, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1387 on July 26, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3816, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997
______
speech of
HON. ZACH WAMP
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 24, 1996
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3816) making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and for other purposes:
Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment offered by the gentlemen from Wisconsin to eliminate funding for the Department of Energy's [DOE] Advanced Light Water Reactor [ALWR] program. The fiscal year 1997 House energy and water development appropriations bill provides $17 million for this program, which will conclude the Federal Government's participation in the development of the ALWR.
This program is a joint DOE-nuclear industry program with the industry contributing more than 50 percent in matching funds. Although I opposed funding for the ALWR last year, it has become apparent to me that this program represents our Nation's last hope of building the most technologically advanced nuclear reactors. More importantly, I have learned that termination costs built into the contract create a potential liability far exceeding the $17 million provided for in this appropriations bill. Therefore, it will be more expensive to terminate this project under the Obey amendment than to let the authorization expire. It should also be noted that the Federal Government will receive royalties from the sale of these newly designed reactors.
It is well known that our Nation's growing dependence on imported oil--particularly from the Middle East--poses a serious threat to our national security. I firmly believe we must maintain a strong Federal commitment to researching alternative fuel sources. As the world becomes more dangerous and less stable, it is all the more important that we reduce our dependence on foreign sources of fuel to meet our energy needs.
Mr. Chairman, for these reasons and others I have decided to cast my vote against the amendment offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin, and I urge my colleagues to defeat the Obey amendment.
____________________
