Energy Policy Act of 2005

ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - April 21, 2005)

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Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 6.

The people of our nation need an energy policy. We need to pass an energy policy that actually brings down record high gas prices, protects our environment, and truly reduces our dependence on foreign oil by encouraging energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources of energy.

Instead, at a time of record gas prices, this special-interest, anti-consumer energy bill would actually increase gas prices. The national average price for gasoline remains at a record level of $2.24 per gallon. And yet, according to the Bush Administration's own Energy Department, the Republican bill will actually increase gas prices by 3 cents and will have almost no effect on production, consumption, or prices,

As if raising gas prices were not bad enough, H.R. 6 also harms our environment. It rolls back important safeguards in the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, which are critical in keeping our waterways clean and safe. Protecting the producers of MTBE from paying for polluting our drinking water, H.R. 6 actually passes the cost of cleaning up the industry's mess to taxpayers. Finally, it opens the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of our nation's greatest natural treasures, to drilling by the oil and gas industries.

At this time in history, it is crucial that we work to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by prioritizing energy efficiency and renewable energy. Of all the tax incentives in H.R. 6, only 7 percent are designated to encourage renewable energy and conservation, while billions of dollars in tax breaks are funneled to the oil and gas industries. On top of these tax breaks, provisions in this bill would provide as much as $2 billion over ten years to companies who drill in the deep waters off the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of increasing corporate giveaways at a time when oil and gas companies are raking in record profits, we must redouble our efforts to support renewable energy and conservation.

Mr. Chairman, because H.R. 6 would increase gas prices, harm our environment, and do so little to encourage renewable energy sources, I oppose this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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