Fourteen Working Days in Five Months Insufficient to Bring Energy Solutions

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) today announced he is an original cosponsor of Congressman Thaddeus McCotter's resolution, H. CON. RES. 417, expressing the sense that Congress should not adjourn until a comprehensive energy bill has been enacted.

"The energy bills we've voted on so far do little to encourage increased American production of energy. Increasing American production of all types of energy and increasing energy efficiency is what will lower energy prices and put this country on the road to energy independence," said Congressman Tiberi. "Unfortunately, the Majority's leadership is so out of touch with the struggles of Central Ohioans, they have not scheduled a vote on true comprehensive energy reform all year. In fact they've only planned 14 working days for an entire five months. This is not right and the American people deserve better. I believe we should not adjourn until comprehensive energy legislation is enacted."

The resolution states that comprehensive energy legislation should:
• Open the Outer Continental Shelf, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and oil shale reserves to environmentally safe drilling
• Extend expiring renewable energy tax benefits
• Encourage streamlining approval of new nuclear power facilities and expanded refining capacity
• Encourages advanced research and development of clean coal, coal-to-liquid, and carbon sequestration technologies
• Minimize drawn out legal challenges that unreasonably delay or prevent American energy production

"When Congress adjourned in August, I voted against leaving, not once but twice. I even sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking her to call Congress back in to vote on an energy bill. I thought comprehensive energy reform was so important I joined more than 100 of my colleagues to speak on the House Floor directly to Americans visiting the Capitol about the need for energy legislation after Speaker Pelosi gaveled the session closed and turned off the microphones, the lights, and the cameras. If we don't have a vote on true comprehensive energy reform that will increase American production of energy, I plan to vote against adjournment at the end of the month," Congressman Tiberi added.

The bill has a total of 93 cosponsors. Congressional leaders have indicated they plan to adjourn Congress on September 26, 2008.

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