Waiving Points of Order Against Conference Report on H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2005

WAIVING POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6, ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - July 28, 2005)

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Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the Committee on Rules for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule and the Domenici-Barton Energy Conference Report because it is the national energy strategy that our Nation has waited on for decades. This legislation will ensure adequate energy supply for consumers, help to drive down energy costs, and provide jobs in the energy industry.

I would like to highlight one facet of it as particular importance to me and my State. Coal provides thousands of jobs in West Virginia and produces the energy needed by customers across the country. This bill contains a number of provisions to support clean coal technology that will allow coal to continue to provide for the Nation's energy needs while also protecting our environment.

First, I am pleased that the conference report includes a 20 percent tax credit for new Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle facilities. IGCC facilities are on the cutting edge of new energy technology. Other tax credits for Industrial Gasification and Advanced Combustion will also further the use of clean coal. The bill also allows for power plants to amortize the cost of air pollution controls over 7 years, an important step towards cleaning up existing coal-fired facilities.

The Clean Coal Power Initiative, a 9 year, $1.8 billion program to demonstrate advanced coal technologies, created by this bill, will allow us to develop the next generation of clean, efficient coal use.

The Energy Policy Act is good for West Virginia coal, West Virginia jobs, and great for our Nation's economy and energy security. I hope my colleagues will join me in support of the rule and the underlying bill.

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