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Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to natural gas production, we
are number one. What was once a pipe dream is now a global reality,
thanks to American ingenuity and technology. An impressive
accomplishment, especially considering where we were only a decade
ago--fearful of running out of supplies.
With this new wealth of natural gas, folks in Michigan and across the
country should no longer worry about access to affordable energy. But
budget-busting power bills are still hitting too many Americans.
The New York Times recently reported that customers in New England
could expect electricity rates to spike close to 40 percent higher this winter. Why? Well, we may have fixed our supply problems, but now we have a serious distribution problem. Our archaic energy infrastructure and outdated regulatory system is blocking American consumers from reaping the benefits of our energy
abundance. We have the gas, but we don't have the pipelines to get
cheap energy directly to families and businesses that need it most.
This legislation seeks to fix the problem, inserting accountability
into the permitting process for natural gas pipelines and establishing
firm deadlines for agency reviews. It does not exempt any environmental
laws. It just makes sure pipeline projects get sited and built without
unnecessary delay.
Last night, the President here made the case for more Federal funding
of transportation infrastructure projects like roads and bridges as one
way to create jobs while modernizing our economy. But the energy
infrastructure projects unleashed by this pipeline bill are every bit
as necessary, with all of the economic benefits, and the best part is,
since they will be paid for by the private sector, it won't cost
taxpayers a dime.
We voted on this legislation last Congress, and it passed the House
with overwhelming bipartisan support. With the President's comments
last night about wanting to work with Congress, I hope the President
can join us in supporting this bipartisan, commonsense energy and jobs
solution. Now that we are the leader in energy production, there is no
reason America shouldn't be number one in energy affordability as well.
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