Appointment of Conferees on H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2005
APPOINTMENT OF CONFEREES ON H.R. 6, ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - July 13, 2005)
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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Capps motion to instruct.
Though this administration and the Republican majority often stress the need for an energy bill, citing rising gas prices, this bill will not do anything to lower energy prices in this country. Gas prices continue to rise, and this bill does nothing to lower them.
The Republican energy bill does nothing to reduce our Nation's dependency on foreign oil. It harms our environment, and in the end it is nothing more than a big fat giveaway to the oil and gas industries at a time when they do not need these giveaways.
If that were not bad enough, oil companies have knowingly contaminated our Nation's water systems with the fuel additive MTBE, polluting the same drinking water that serves 45 million Americans. These companies were fully aware of MTBE's ability to seep in the water supply, and they understood the impact that this potential human carcinogen could have on public health. Yet they still chose to use MTBE for nearly 20 years. And now the Republican leadership wants to protect these same oil companies from any liability for the damages they have caused.
Instead, they want to leave it up to our State and local governments to pick up the tab. This is unconscionable. This motion to instruct is based on common sense. These companies should be held responsible for the damages they caused.
Now, we all know the arguments. This is an unfunded mandate passed on to our State and local governments. Many communities have filed legitimate suits to recover the costs of MTBE cleanup estimated to exceed $29 billion. Yet this bill essentially blocks these suits and could preempt hundreds more, leaving communities with a multibillion dollar unfunded mandate at the hands of this Congress.
Mr. Speaker, the party of States' rights has become the party of Big Business. This bill is another handout to the oil, gas, and MTBE producers. Support the Capps motion to instruct and strike this lousy provision.
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