Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
The bill provides $92 million for the facilities and infrastructure program within the EERE account. That level fully funds operation and maintenance activities at NREL and is the same amount as was appropriated last year.
In light of EERE being reduced by $243 million compared to last year's level, I would say that the bill contains very strong support for NREL's operations and maintenance activities.
This amendment goes too far in increasing an account that already has strong support.
Additionally, I am concerned that the amendment would have unintended consequences in taking away strategic funding from the departmental administration account.
Mr. Chair, for these reasons, I must oppose the amendment and urge my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I agree with everything the gentleman just said, but I disagree with the amendment. Everything he said is absolutely accurate.
My colleague's amendment would increase funding for the Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, or CESER, account, by using the Fossil Energy account as an offset.
I share my colleague's support for the important work funded by the CESER account, and the underlying bill reflects that support. In fact, the CESER account was provided an increase of $50 million over last year's level. That is a 52 percent increase in this bill. Put another way, that is the single largest percentage increase in any account in this bill.
I support the CESER account and efforts to enhance the cybersecurity and resilience of our electrical grid. That is why the bill provides the highest level of funding these research and development activities have ever had.
However, my colleague's amendment would take away funds from other important research and development activities.
The Fossil Energy account focuses on research and development activities that ensure the Nation is using its abundant natural resources as safely, cleanly, and efficiently as possible.
Targeted increases to the Fossil Energy account support technological advances in carbon capture, carbon storage, and advanced energy generation technologies.
Cuts to the Fossil Energy account threaten these innovations.
In light of the robust support for the CESER account in the underlying bill and the unintended consequences this amendment may have on the Fossil Energy account, I must oppose the amendment, but I will tell my colleague that I look forward to working with him to address this concern that ought to concern all of us.
Cybersecurity is a huge issue, and I think it is going to be one of the biggest things we face in the coming years.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I want to thank the gentleman for his support for and active lobbying for the weapons activities that are so vital to our country. He makes sure that we do our job here.
Mr. Chair, I have no problem with the amendment, and hope it will pass.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source