United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act

UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION ACT -- (House of Representatives - July 26, 2006)

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Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

I rise today in strong support of this bill introduced by my distinguished colleague and friend, Mr. Shadegg of Arizona.

This measure establishes a grant program to fund joint ventures between American and Israeli businesses and scholars and calls for the creation of an International Energy Advisory Board comprised of U.S. and Israeli representatives working in tandem toward the diversification of our sources of energy.

Today, due to our reliance on the foreign supply of oil, the United States is in a troubling position that is quickly escalating. As reported by the Department of Energy, U.S. dependence on foreign oil will increase by 33 percent in the next 20 years.

What makes the situation even worse is that frequently the money invested in foreign oil to meet our energy needs is then manipulated to fund terrorists who aim to attack us and our closest allies.

Part of the solution to this problem is simple: eliminating our dependency on Middle Eastern sources of energy and developing alternative energy sources to meet our needs.

Although developing alternative energy sources, that is, forms of energy, is far from easy, it is necessary for our continued security. Working together with Israel on developing such alternatives and on improving energy efficiency makes perfect sense.

Israel is a close and much valued friend of the United States, one with whom we share a deep bond based on mutual values of freedom, justice and democracy and one with whom we stand side by side in our struggle against terror.

Israeli scientists have developed some of the world's most advanced technology, contributing greatly to breakthroughs in vital fields. One of Israel's many technological breakthroughs in the field of renewable energy sources includes a technique that significantly increases the efficiency of using solar energy to generate hydrogen for use in energy cells.

Mutual collaboration would yield great benefits for both the United States and Israel in an effort to develop technological solutions to our energy dependency problem.

Mr. Speaker, by supporting this bill, the United States Congress will enhance the cooperation between our two countries and will jump-start the creative process for the development of innovative approaches to a critical issue with domestic and national security implications.

And I thank the gentleman, the sponsor, for his time.

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