Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico

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House passes balanced and comprehensive energy policy	August 02, 2001

‘A Major Victory for New Mexico consumers and the Environment’ Washington, DC – Rep. Heather Wilson worked late into the night on Wednesday to pass the nation’s first comprehensive, long-term national energy policy in decades. HR 4, the Securing America`s Future Energy(SAFE) Act, passed the House 240-189 in a vote that came shortly after midnight. “Electric bills and natural gas to heat our homes and cook our food are hurting everyone, especially people on fixed incomes,” said Wilson after last night’s vote. “We don’t think about energy until it becomes a problem, so we haven’t had a national energy policy in more than 30 years. We changed that last night in the House with a balanced and comprehensive approach to meet our energy needs by promoting conservation measures and lessening our dependence on foreign oil and OPEC. This bill has real solutions to our energy problems. This is a victory for the environment and for anybody who expects light when they flick a switch.” Wilson, a member of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT), played a key leadership role in pushing energy legislation through the House Energy and Commerce Committee and through ultimate passage in the House. Wilson offered a measure to restrict Arctic drilling which passed the House 228-201. Another Wilson amendment to establish two conservation trust funds passed 241-186. "I believe that we can meet America`s energy needs in a way that preserves the beauty of the home we love," said Wilson. "We`ve made tremendous progress in the last twenty years cleaning up the air, water, and land and there`s no turning back. What we accomplished this week means that out of the more than 19 million acres contained in ANWR, only 2,000 acres can be disturbed. This dramatically limits any impact on the environment. And these amendments will also ensure that we invest in our future by protecting our federal lands and by continuing and expanding research into renewable energy sources." H.R. 4 — SECURING AMERICA`S FUTURE ENERGY (SAFE) ‘A Major Victory for New Mexico consumers and the Environment’ * Reduces SUV and light truck fuel consumption by 5 billion gallons over six years * Increases funding for programs to assist low-income residents * Provides incentives for cleaner energy sources and alternative fueled vehicles * Promotes clean coal technologies * Sets stricter standards for energy use in federal buildings * Simplifies regulation of nuclear and hydroelectric power Improving Energy Efficiency * Ensures less fuel consumption by SUVs, mini-vans and other light trucks * Establishes energy standards for television sets, furnace fans, ceiling fans and cold drink vending machines Helping Low-Income Residents Pay Their Energy Bills * Substantially increases funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act (LIHEAP), which assists low-income consumers with payment of high energy bills * Reauthorizes the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which improves the energy efficiency of low-income homes to keep energy costs low Increasing the Supply of Gasoline While Decreasing its Price * Forces Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that any transition to summertime RFG (reformulated gasoline) does not disrupt the availability and affordability of gasoline * Maximizes flexibility for gasoline storage tanks * Orders EPA and Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct a joint study of all federal, state and local fuel requirements Providing Federal Leadership in Energy Conservation * Increases fuel efficiency standards for federal vehicles * Establishes new mandatory efficiency requirements for federal buildings Encouraging the Use of Clean Coal, Nuclear Energy and Hydroelectric Energy * Authorizes DOE to develop accelerated programs for the production and supply of electricity by advanced clean coal methods and equipment * Moves Nuclear Waste Fund off-budget to make it available for the exclusive use of radioactive waste disposal * Clarifies the permitting process for new nuclear reactors * Streamlines current procedures on hydroelectric project licensing Source: House Energy and Commerce Committee -END-