Providing For Consideration Of H.R. 2641, Energy And Water Development And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Floor Speech

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2641, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - June 19, 2007)

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Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from California (Ms. Matsui) for her excellent work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, in November Vermonters and the American people demanded a change in direction in Washington and a change in priorities. The past 5 months have been an important down payment on our commitment to change.

Today the House takes up the third of 12 appropriation bills where we will continue making this progress of taking America in a new direction. This is a balanced bill adopting the pay-as-you-go principle enacted by this House of Representatives.

This Energy and Water Appropriation bill represents a bipartisan approach to our response to a growing energy crisis. We're making real changes by focusing on commonsense priorities.

We know we must reduce our dependence on foreign oil and cut our greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation invests $3 billion in addressing global climate change. It does so by researching effects of greenhouse gases and then working on the technologies that will make a new energy future. It also focuses on the growing renewable energy industry, making an investment in energy programs that both reduce greenhouse gases and help our Nation meet its energy needs.

This Energy and Water bill provides a 50 percent increase in energy efficiency, renewable energy and important water projects, including $200 million towards solar, $235 million in vehicle technology to increase mileage efficiency, $146 million in energy-efficient buildings, $117 million in enhancing hydropower.

In addition, it invests over $5 billion, as the gentlelady from California said, in construction operations and the management of critical water projects around the entire country, including in the State of Vermont.

These programs are important not only when talking about the need to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gas emissions, but to make critical investments in new industries that can be seen across the country. If we make this commitment now, we can have a pro-growth, pro-high tech, pro-environment economy of the future.

In my district of Vermont, we have dozens of thriving, renewable energy companies rooted in our community and creating goods jobs. Efficiency Vermont, GroSolar, Agrefresh and NRG Systems, to name a few.

This is a timely bill. It invests in our energy independence and makes a down payment on the necessary progress to address climate change in our energy future. This Congress is committed to taking our country in a new direction, working in a bipartisan manner and in a fiscally responsible way. We're committed to making this an energy-independent country.

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