Bass Secures Comprehensive Renewable Energy Provisions

Bass Secures Comprehensive Renewable Energy Provisions
April 14, 2005

ANWR not included; MtBE cleanup to be addressed during floor consideration

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Charles F. Bass (NH02) today praised the House Energy and Commerce Committee's passage of a comprehensive energy bill. The Committee, on which Bass serves, agreed to report the Energy Policy Act of 2005 late last night.

"This bill will revolutionize the way Americans satisfy their energy needs by supporting the procurement and utilization of renewable energy sources," said Bass. "I was able to secure a first-of-its-kind rebate system for consumers who use renewable energy to heat or generate electricity in their homes and small businesses. By deferring some of the costs of installing these state-of-the-art systems, we guarantee that more people will have access to more affordable, environmentally sound, and domestically produced energy options."

The innovative rebate program called for by Congressman Bass would be managed by the Department of Energy. It would cover up to 25% or $3,000 of a consumer's expenses in installing residential or small business solar, biomass, wind, or other renewable energy systems.

Congressman Bass also requested that the benefits of renewable energy systems be extended to low income families. The Committee approved an amendment by the Second District Congressman that would allow the federal Weatherization Assistance Program and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to support eligible beneficiaries who use renewable energy systems for their heating and cooling.

"Through my amendment, this bill now extends federal aid to low income citizens who already use or wish to use renewable energy," said Bass. "For the first time in our nation's history, those who have the most difficulty meeting high costs of heating and cooling their homes will have access to the most affordable forms of energy."

Bass also secured passage of an amendment to equalize treatment of corn-based ethanol and wood-based ethanol. Research and development on wood-based ethanol is rapidly approaching the point where it can be an easy substitute for corn-based ethanol, which is becoming increasingly relied upon as an air cleaning additive and a supplement to reduce demand for refined petroleum.

"While I am hesitant to mandate the use of ethanol products, current policy unfairly favors corn-based fuels of the Midwest and has made us too reliant on one commodity," commented Bass. "This is particularly detrimental to New Hampshire, the nation's second most forested state, which can produce an ample supply of wood products and potential fuel sources for the Granite State and the nation. Our forests and timber workers should be able to compete on a level playing field with the agricultural industry in the Midwest. For consumers and power producers alike, this bill represents the greatest opportunity to displace a substantial proportion of our dependence on dirty, foreign, and antiquated energy sources. "

Finally, the Congressman expressed optimism that a resolution can be reached to clean the state's groundwater that has been contaminated with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MtBE).

"Although the problems involving MtBE and New Hampshire's ground water remain unresolved, ongoing negotiations are progressing," said Bass. "This issue remains among my highest priorities and interests in the bill. Unlike in 2003, however, I have confidence that we will be able to resolve the issue satisfactorily in the final legislation."

Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was not included as part of the Committee-passed bill, but is expected to be added before the comprehensive bill is considered by the full House next week. Congressman Bass has been among the congressional leaders in opposing this drilling in the Artic.

http://www.house.gov/bass/pr_041405.html