Permitting Expenditures From Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund
PERMITTING EXPENDITURES FROM LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND -- (House of Representatives - September 26, 2006)
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Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the bill before us, H.R. 6131, does some good. It would change the rules regarding the Leaking Underground Storage trust fund and allow these funds to address the MTBE leaks. That is shorthand for gasoline additives in underground tanks at your neighborhood gas station.
MTBE leaks are dangerous and destructive, and this legislation will amend the energy bill in a good way. Unfortunately, these additives get into water and create problems for human beings. The legislation does nothing to address the other dangers and destructive leaks in the President's energy policy, however. It does not amend the bill to repeal the tax giveaways the President's energy bill gives Big Oil.
It does not repeal the $30 billion in corporate welfare Republicans have given to Big Oil and their energy companions. It does not make America less dependent on oil, and it does not make America less vulnerable to nations that have the oil resources that we need.
Oil and gas companies continue to line their pockets with American taxpayer dollars. The Republicans have delivered billions in tax breaks last year. That was after the Republicans handed over billions in 2004. Republicans gave oil companies a sweetheart tax break that climbs in value as the process and profits claim. You pay and pay, while they keep and keep.
That sums up the Republican energy policy. Today, we should act to stop one big leak in the Nation's energy policy. It will take removing Republicans in the midterm election to begin to plug the other big leaks in the Republican energy policy.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I would simply say, Mr. Speaker, that I think from the previous speaker and myself you understand that this bill does not do any harm. I think that is why we will support it. It does not do very much about the energy problems in this country, and I really think that is where we ought to be spending our time.
If the Federal Government really was interested in cleaning up the environment, they would spend the money that is there. It is there for that purpose. However, they need it to cover the debts of war and a whole lot of other things which, in my opinion, are not the way this money should have been spent.
So I personally will urge a voice vote and pass the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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