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| Wilson Welcomes Energy Bill Agreement |
July 26, 2005 |
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| Congresswoman: We Need to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today welcomed the agreement on an Energy Bill and thanked Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman for their efforts on the legislation.
The bill would establish an American energy policy with balanced objectives, including reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Wilson said establishing a long term energy policy is increasingly important as worldwide demand for energy increases. Wilson advocates a comprehensive strategy that includes energy exploration, conservation and development of renewable energy as we work toward lower fuel prices by reducing dependence on foreign supplies.
“I commend our state’s Senators for their work on this bill. When the House Energy and Commerce Committee considered comprehensive energy legislation three years ago oil was selling for around $20 dollars a barrel. This year, the price of oil has at times approached $60 dollars a barrel,” Wilson said. “We need a balanced, long term energy policy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and preserve the beauty of the land we love.”
The agreement reached today closes out a four-year legislative effort to codify a U.S. energy policy. The Energy Policy Act of 2006 was passed 249-183 on April 21 by the U.S. House of Representatives. The House twice passed energy legislation in the 108th Congress.
“A comprehensive national energy policy is critical to our nation’s economy and our national security. Energy expenditures account for about 7 percent of our total economy and influence prices in the much of the rest of the economy,” Wilson said.
Energy Bill Preserves Nuclear Liability System
The conference report preserves Wilson’s efforts to extend the Price-Anderson nuclear liability system. A Wilson-sponsored bill was passed by the House November 27, 2001. Originally enacted in 1957, Price-Anderson provides guaranteed financial protection and streamlined payment for the public in the event of a nuclear accident. The Act requires nuclear power producers to purchase the maximum amount of insurance available, currently $200 million per reactor, and to participate in a mutual insurance pool, for a total amount of financial protection of approximately $9.5 billion.
“Price-Anderson is a public protection program ensuring that the public has the resources available to cope with a nuclear accident, covering expenses from evacuation to medical care to property damage,” said Wilson. “It is important that we keep this program in place for the years ahead.”
Additionally, the measure requires the president to report to Congress on what steps the federal government will take to improve security at nuclear facilities and the bill requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue rules relating to enhanced security at nuclear facilities and the transportation of nuclear materials. The bill also requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to apply health and safety standards that are substantially similar to those imposed by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) at the nuclear facilities it operates.
Wilson Tribal Energy Resource Development Provision
A provision offered by Rep. Wilson is included in the legislation and will improve energy development and job creation (including electricity generation and renewable projects) on Indian lands. The legislation will authorize tribes to enter into agreements with the Secretary of Interior on the development of their energy resources.
These agreements, called Tribal Energy Resource Agreements, will allow Indian tribes the freedom to develop both traditional and renewable energy resources with rights similar to private land owners.
Tribal lands comprise about five percent of U.S. land, but hold an estimated 10 percent of all energy reserves in the United States, including 30 percent of known coal deposits in the West, five percent of known American onshore oil deposits and 10 percent of known onshore natural gas deposits.
The Department of the Interior estimates that only a quarter of oil resources, and less than one-fifth of gas resources on Indian lands have been developed, and the amendment helps limit delays in getting the required federal approvals. If a Tribe has an Energy Resource Agreement, tribes could pursue and approve energy development without obtaining prior approval from the Secretary of Interior on each individual project.
Participation by tribes would be voluntary and the tribal regulations must include a tribal environmental review process that allows for public comment. If petitioned, the U.S. Interior Secretary could review a tribe`s compliance with its own energy regulation and either suspend or rescind the agreements or the regulations.
The provision would also establish an Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs within the Department of Energy and would authorize a federal grant and low-interest loan program to aid tribes in developing the necessary energy infrastructure and expertise.
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