North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 8, a bill that will help our Nation rise to meet growing energy demands and challenges.

Our energy policy is incompatible with the current state of domestic energy supply and production. The United States is now the world's largest energy producer, but our energy infrastructure is woefully inadequate. We have the innovation and technology to safely expand the electric grid and pipeline systems, but administrative red tape has severely hindered these projects.

As long as natural gas, hydroelectric, and nuclear energy projects continue to languish for years in drawn-out Federal permitting processes, nobody can benefit from the cleaner and more affordable energy these sources can provide.

Not only do we desperately need to expand our energy infrastructure to ensure reliable and affordable energy, but our national security depends on secured energy sources and updated infrastructure to protect against real threats.

Cyber attacks on electric utility systems and electromagnetic pulses are no longer things you only see in movies. These threats are very real and possible, and we need to be prepared. We need to improve energy infrastructure security now, not later.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill so Americans can continue to have access to an affordable, reliable, and secure energy supply.

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