Floor Statements
May 21, 2008
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, of Texas Statement on Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6049, Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 . I would like to thank my colleague the Chairman of Ways and Means, Congressman Charles Rangel for bringing this energy legislation forward .
The bill extends dozens of expired or expiring tax provisions, and extends and creates new energy -related tax incentives for the production of wind and other renewable energy and for homeowners' investment in solar and fuel cell equipment.
Texas has invested in the production of wind and is looking to come up with more ways to aid us in energy conservation and harnessing our natural resources in a way that does not damage the environment.
There is an undeniable consensus on the importance of America achieving energy independence in the 21st century. It is critical that we terminate our dependence on foreign sources of oil, the majority of which are located in regions of the world which are unstable and in most circumstances, opposed to our interests. Accordingly, there is no issue more essential to our economic and national security than energy independence.
By investing in renewable energy and increasing access to potential sources of energy , I believe we can be partners with responsible members of America's energy producing community in our collective goal of reaching energy independence.
Houston, Texas, is the energy capital of the world, for the past 12 years I have been the Chair of the Energy Braintrust of the Congressional Black Caucus. During this time, I have hosted a variety of Energy Braintrusts designed to bring in all of the relevant players ranging from environmentalists to producers of energy from a variety of sectors including coal, electric, natural gas, nuclear, oil, and alternative energy sources as well as energy producers from West Africa.
My Energy Braintrusts were designed to be a call of action to all of the sectors that comprise the American and international energy industry, to the African American community, and to the nation as a whole.
Energy is the lifeblood of every economy, especially ours. Producing more of it leads to more good jobs, cheaper goods, lower fuel prices, and greater economic and national security. Bringing together thoughtful yet distinct voices to engage each other on the issue of energy independence has resulted in the beginning of a transformative dialectic which can ultimately result in reforming our energy industry to the extent that we as a nation achieve energy security and energy independence.
Because I represent the city of Houston, the energy capital of the world, I realize that many oil and gas companies provide many jobs for many of my constituents and serve a valuable need. The energy industry in Houston exemplifies the stakeholders who must be instrumental in devising a pragmatic strategy for resolving our national energy crisis.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation will aid Americans as we seek to wean ourselves from our foreign oil dependence. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6049.