DeLauro: Energy Bill Nothing More than a Corporate Giveaway
DeLauro: Energy Bill Nothing More than a Corporate Giveaway
- Bill Does Not Invest in Alternative Energy Like State's Fuel Cell Industry-
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today issued the following statement on the energy bill expected to pass the U.S. House today. According to Citizens Against Government waste, the bill will cost $80 billion in spending and $8 billion in tax cuts over 10 years. Of that, less than $500 million is dedicated to any kind of renewable energy research.
"At a time when middle class Americans desperately need relief from record high gas prices and our country's energy independence is a growing concern, this bill does nothing to lower the price of gas and actually provides tax breaks for companies to do more drilling and less research into alternative energy. It represents nothing more than a corporate giveaway to the nation's oil and gas industry - once again demonstrating the Republican Congress puts the interests of its campaign contributors before those of working families.
"I am especially concerned that the bill limits the ability of state governments to oversee the permitting process of pipeline construction projects or construction of LNG facilities, placing that responsibility solely within the FERC, with states relegated to a consultative role. This would eviscerate our state government's ability to regulate proposed projects in the Long Island Sound, despite the state's undisputed leadership in the clean-up of the Sound.
"We should be reducing our dependence on foreign oil by improving our energy efficiency and maximizing our domestic energy production in an environmentally-sound way - by investing in cleaner, more secure energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and fuel cell technology.
"Connecticut is a leader in fuel cell technology, with several businesses doing research that is on the cusp of revolutionizing the way our nation powers its homes, cars and businesses. We should be investing in American small businesses like Proton Energy in Wallingford, Nxegen in Middletown and Danbury's Fuel Cell Energy - companies that already do over $300 million worth of fuel cell business and move us closer to true energy independence.
"By pressing for 20th Century solutions to deal with 21st Century energy challenges, this bill abdicates our responsibility to lay out a national blueprint for energy policy in the coming decades."
http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2005/April/energy_bill_04_21_05.html