 |
“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Pelosi: ‘GOP Energy Bill is Anti-Consumer, Anti-Taxpayer, and Anti-Environment’
Washington, D.C. – House
“Madame Chair, the American people deserve an energy policy that is worthy of the 21st century, not one mired in the policies of the past. But this bill looks backward, not forward. It is imperative that our country have an energy policy for the future.
“And it is a matter of national security that we reduce our dependence on foreign oil, so that we will be able to take care of our own security and not have to send our troops into harm’s way for oil.
“It is critical to our environment that we invest in emerging technologies, renewable energy, and energy efficiency and conservation. It is vital for our economy that our country’s economic growth is not constrained by the price of oil, and that our consumers do not have to pay such a serious price at the pump for gasoline.
“The opportunity is here for an energy bill that will put our country on the right path, but the Republican bill put forth today misses that opportunity. Instead of a positive plan to move our country forward, the Republican bill is a warmed-over stew of old provisions and outdated policies.
“The Republican energy bill is anti-consumer, anti-taxpayer, and anti-environment. And with its MTBE provisions, it is harmful to children and other living things. The Republican bill was written in secrecy, conceived under the influence of the energy lobbyists, and it shows. It should be rejected by this Congress.
“First, this bill is anti-consumer. Gas prices are soaring, and this bill makes matters worse. The price of gasoline is approaching $3 in some parts of our country, and nationwide, gas prices are up 42 cents from a year ago. When it costs nearly $50 for an American worker to fill his gas tank, it’s time for relief.
“We are in the fifth year of the Bush Administration, and yet there has been no meaningful action to lower gas prices at the pump. And according to the Bush Administration’s own Department of Energy, this Republican bill will actually increase gas prices by 3 cents a gallon, and will have almost no effect on production, consumption, or prices.
“Second, the bill is anti-taxpayer. The bill is loaded with tax breaks and royalty relief for oil and gas companies. Of the $8.1 billion in tax incentives in the bill, $7.5 billion, a staggering 93 percent, is for traditional energy sources such as oil, natural gas, nuclear power and electricity transmission. Even President Bush has said: ‘When the price of oil is over $50 a barrel, the oil industry does not need relief.’ And yet the President wants this bill to come to his desk from Congress as soon as possible.
“Third, this bill is anti-environment. It will open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling, all for the sake of a six-month supply of oil that won’t be available for 10 years. If this unspoiled place is not special enough to save for our grandchildren, what is? Once they despoil ANWR, nothing else is sacred. Indeed, this bill makes it easier for oil drilling in the protected areas off of our magnificent coastlines.
“The bill contains other anti-environmental provisions including weakening the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
“Finally, this bill is harmful to children and all living things. The provisions on the gasoline additive MTBE, a few drops of which can poison entire drinking water systems, are a breathtaking example of pandering to special interests.
“Instead of eliminating MTBE now, the bill would give the MTBE industry nine years for a phase-out, and it would give MTBE producers liability protection in contamination lawsuits. This bill says to the MTBE industry: ‘You are poisoning the water supply, but you don’t have to stop for nine years; you have no liability for contamination; and on top of that, we are going to give you $2 billion in subsidies to help MTBE manufacturers.’
“The dirty little secret is that the industry knew all along that MTBE would leak out of gasoline storage tanks and contaminate groundwater, but they lobbied for it to be added to gasoline anyway. Now, they don’t want to pay for the cleanup -- they want taxpayer to pick up the tab.
“The provision on MTBE, included in the bill at the Majority Leader’s insistence, killed the bill in the last Congress. And Majority Leader DeLay is insisting on including it again this year. In fact, this is the Majority Leader’s bill we are debating today.
“Madame Chair, it’s time to look forward. It’s time for an energy policy worthy of the 21st Century. Democrats have better ideas. I particularly want to commend Congressman Tim Bishop and Congressman Ed Markey for their amendment to lower gas prices, promote energy efficiency, advance emerging technology for energy efficiency and conservation, and improve consumer protection.
"This Republican energy bill is clearly designed to help energy companies make more money, not help American consumers save money.
“I urge my colleagues to stand up for a forward-looking energy bill to ensure our national security, to grow our economy, to protect our environment, and keep our water and air safe for our children.
“I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the Democratic amendments for an energy policy for the future, and I urge my colleagues to ‘just say no’ to Tom DeLay’s disgraceful MTBE giveaway and his outdated boondoggle of an energy bill.”
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
