Capito Calls Congressional Recess Misguided Amidst Energy Challenges
Op-Ed
Capito Calls Congressional Recess Misguided Amidst Energy Challenges
Rep. Capito (far right) joins a bipartisan group of lawmakers to announce new energy legislation at the US Capitol on Wednesday. The National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act is the product of weeks of bipartisan discussion and boasts more than 45 original co-sponsors.
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
The eastern panhandle played host to a Congressional hearing this week, as state and local officials testified about the state of affordable housing in our state. Yet while West Virginians were making their voice known on housing, Congress continued to irresponsibly ignore the need for a comprehensive discussion on high energy costs.
Congress Shouldn't Recess Without Real Energy Vote
Unfortunately, this week marked the beginning of the August congressional recess, even at a time when Congress has yet to hold real debate or vote on comprehensive energy legislation. With gas prices continuing to hover around $4 per gallon, House Leadership continues to block broad-based energy solutions.
Responding to their inaction, I've joined with a group of Democrats and Republicans to introduce the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act. Our bill will lift the ban on offshore oil exploration and use the royalties from new exploration to invest in alternative energy technology.
Estimates suggest that we could benefit from up to $2.6 trillion in new royalties, which can help fund clean coal technology, conservation and renewable energy resources. I believe this is a pragmatic and balanced approach to this issue, and I hope to see it come before the full House of Representatives.
MARTINSBURG - Rep. Capito and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) hear testimony at a Congressional field hearing on affordable housing on Tuesday.
Congress Comes to Martinsburg
Congress came to the eastern panhandle this week as I had the pleasure of joining my colleague from California - Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) - in hosting a congressional field hearing before our Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. Rep. Waters is the chairwoman and I'm the ranking member of the committee.
We heard testimony from federal, state and local officials on the issue of affordable housing in West Virginia. I also had the opportunity to tour a number of affordable housing facilities in Martinsburg.
The hearing was a great opportunity to highlight some of the unique needs of our state and I certainly appreciated the testimony from each of the witnesses. I also want to thank Rep. Waters for coming to West Virginia.
As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office if I can be of any assistance. It is an honor to serve you.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
In Case You Missed It...
Gang Of 22 Crafts A Plan
Wheeling Intelligencer
By JOSELYN KING
July 31, 2008
Coal-to-liquids technology would be among the alternative energy interests to benefit from a comprehensive national energy bill expected to be introduced today.
A bipartisan group of 22 legislators in the U.S. House - frustrated with their leadership's reluctance to adopt a national energy policy - announced Wednesday they have crafted their own energy bill. It's called the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act.
The legislation would lift most restrictions on off-shore drilling for oil, and about $2.6 trillion is expected to be generated from the resulting lease agreements, according to U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.
That money would be put toward the development of alternative energies, including the development of coal technologies, she added.
"We are very excited about this," Capito said. "We have been working on this for about a month. There have been no lobbyists and no special interests. We have been writing this ourselves, and that is the way it should be.
"We've found common ground because we all realize the U.S. is unloading a lot of energy dollars overseas," she added. "We also all realize it is becoming a security issue."
Jay Rockefeller, Shelley Moore Capito vouch for coal's power to Congress
Charleston Daily Mail
by Jake Stump
July 31, 2008
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Clean coal and carbon capture are two key elements to cracking the ongoing energy crisis, say members of West Virginia's congressional delegation.
Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Republican Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito sponsored separate pieces of legislation this week promoting West Virginia coal and conversion research....
On Wednesday, Capito was part of a bipartisan group to sponsor legislation that would set aside $130 billion for a carbon capture/sequestration and nuclear waste reserve. That bill also calls for reallocating $385 million for research and development in carbon capture and storage technology....
Capito's bill, the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act, would lift most restrictions on offshore drilling and generate up to $2.6 trillion in royalties. Those monies would be set aside for alternative energy development.
"This bill reflects the fact that coal is one of our most abundant resources and must be part of a broad set of solutions," Capito said. "Including coal in this package was one of my priorities, and I'm particularly pleased that this bill makes it clear that coal can play a central role in solving our energy challenges."
The bill is sponsored by 11 Democrats and 11 Republicans in the U.S. House.
"This is a prime example of Democrats and Republicans working together to find consensus and enact real solutions," Capito said. "With this bill we have an opportunity to use expanded oil exploration to invest in clean coal technology, conservation and other renewable resources. West Virginians are seeking solutions and this legislation is a pragmatic response to an issue that impacts all of us."
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