Energy Legislation (H.R. 5253 and H.R. 5254)

ENERGY LEGISLATION (H.R. 5253 AND H.R. 5254)

Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Federal Energy Price Protection Act (H.R. 5253). By protecting consumers at the gas pump, this legislation takes an important step towards a more responsible federal energy policy.

H.R. 5253 bans price gouging in the sale of fuels, permits states to bring price gouging lawsuits against wholesalers or retailers and sets meaningful penalties for those convicted. After nearly a year of opposing these consumer protections, Republicans have finally realized this is a necessary and appropriate action to addressing rising gas prices. However, this is only a first step--it is what we do next that really matters.

We should not expect our energy situation to change until Congress gets serious about tackling our oil dependence. With the booming economies of China and India squeezing global oil supply, and political instability among key oil producing countries like Iran, Venezuela, Nigeria and Iraq, it is likely that world oil prices will remain volatile and could continue rising for some time to come. Unfortunately, the Republicans are proposing to meet this serious challenge with an ill-conceived policy of distraction.

The Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act (H.R. 5254) is a cynical attempt to relieve public pressure for new energy policies and divert attention away from meaningful solutions. It empowers the Secretary of Defense to evade state environmental laws and overrule the wishes of local communities by ``streamlining'' siting and permitting of new refineries on closed military bases. I strongly oppose this bill, which blames state environmental regulations for rising gas prices and would undermine local control in a misguided attempt to ease them. H.R. 5254 is another attempt by the Republican majority to sell Americans the false promise of easy answers.

With families burdened with gas at $3 per gallon, it is time for real leadership, vision and commitment from Washington to make the smart investments that will protect our BNation's economic security and our planet's future. A clean energy future that addresses oil dependence and environmental concerns such as climate change is achievable. It starts by rescinding the billion of dollars in subsidies for oil and gas companies and with investments in research and extending incentives for alternative energy sources such as wind, biomass and biofuels that keep energy costs down, create jobs and make us more competitive in the global economy. As Robert Samuelson stated in today's Washington Post, the United States has the energy policy it deserves but not the one it needs. It's time for real solutions.

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