STATEMENT ON H.R. 6, THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005

Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo released the following statement from the debate on H.R. 6. the Energy Policy Act, which passed the House today by vote of 249 to 183. Eshoo voted against the bill.

Included with this statement is a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger about the bill's impact on California. The letter was sent by Rep. Eshoo earlier this week. She was joined in the letter by Reps. Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk), Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles), George Miller (D-Martinez), Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) and Hilda Solis (D-El Monte).

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill.

Each year, Californians send approximately $50 billion more to the federal government than they receive in federal funding. With this bill, Californians are being asked to sacrifice even more while getting nothing in return.

• According to the Department of Energy, the bill will raise gasoline prices by 8 cents a gallon.
• The bill's MTBE liability waiver will let refiners off the hook for cleaning up drinking water that's been contaminated by their product. Local governments will have to pay the entire cost.
• The bill will undermine the ability of states to ensure that liquefied natural gas terminals are sited and operate safely.
• The bill will undermine states' appeals rights under the Coastal Zone Management Act.
• The bill paves the way for building energy facilities on the outer continental shelf, including areas subject to oil and gas drilling moratoria.
• The bill will undo a California appliance efficiency standard for ceiling fans, which is part of California's effort to reduce demand and prevent future blackouts.

In listening to state leaders about this bill, I can't find anyone, from the Governor down, who says "this is wonderful and it should be supported and passed."

Instead, I've heard many concerns ... from the Lieutenant Governor, members of the governor's cabinet, the Attorney General, the Coastal Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, local governments, and water utilities.

I have many concerns, as well. Along with some of my California Colleagues, I've sent a letter to the Governor of California outlining them. I ask unanimous consent that my letter be made part of the record as well as letters from the California Coastal Commission, the CPUC, the California Ocean Protection Council, and the Lieutenant Governor of California.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents will pay billions of dollars because of this bill without commensurate benefits.

So, I ask my colleagues, particularly my California colleagues to join me in voting against this bill.

Related Documents
Letter sent to Governor Schwarzeneggar (Adobe PDF)

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