Washington, D.C. - Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) released the following statement today on the outdated Republican energy bill that fails to create an energy policy for the future, strengthen national security, or protect the environment.
“As Yogi Berra used to say “it’s déjà vu all over again.” I never would have imagined: During a time of war in the Middle East, heading into the summer smog season in cities like Washington, DC, with prices at the pump hitting $2.50 a gallon, we are here today telling our constituents that the wisest course of action – the best America can do with its energy policy -- is “more of the same.”
“Nonsense. We have choices. We always have choices. What we apparently don’t have – yet – is the leadership to make the right ones.
“Take national security. Rather than heeding the clarion call of former CIA Director Woolsey, former National Security Advisor McFarlane and others to reduce our use of foreign oil by launching “a major new initiative to curtail U.S. consumption through improved efficiency and the rapid development of…petroleum fuel alternatives,” this legislation actually increases our reliance on foreign oil, according to the independent Energy Information Agency (EIA).
“What about economic growth? We’ve lost over 2.8 million manufacturing jobs since 2001 – and no matter how hard today’s proponents try to spin it – this bill isn’t going to bring them back. To the contrary, by doling out additional tax breaks to already highly profitable oil companies, this legislation represents a monumental missed opportunity to target critical federal investments towards the rapidly expanding green industries of the 21st century. We should be the world leader in renewable energy and hybrid technologies – not playing catch-up to the Danes, Germans and Japanese. In that regard, I regret that an amendment I offered with Reps. Inslee (D-WA) and Holt (D-NJ) to achieve this goal was blocked by the Rules Committee and was not permitted a floor vote today.
“Finally, no serious discussion about formulating a comprehensive national energy policy can take place without reference to the environmental impacts of our nation’s energy consumption. However, rather than having that discussion, this bill instead goes in the other direction by deliberately chipping away at the Clean Water, Clean Air and National Environmental Policy Acts. It once again proposes to despoil the ANWR while ignoring the potential for far greater fuel gains through a long overdue increase in CAFÉ standards. And it brazenly extends a special interest liability waiver to MTBE manufacturers whose product is polluting groundwater in many of our districts – leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab. In my home state of Maryland, important statewide energy efficiency standards and local LNG siting prerogatives are preempted. “And throughout the entire 1019 pages of this legislation, you will not find a single reference to climate change – despite a bipartisan effort I joined to attach language which would have taken the modest step of establishing a national greenhouse gas registry. That amendment, which twice received unanimous support in the Senate, was similarly quashed by the Rules Committee.
“America needs an energy policy that strengthens our national security, promotes long term economic growth and protects the environment. This is not that policy.”