Issue Position: Energy
Issue Position
Energy should be one of the highest priorities of our nation's agenda. We need a comprehensive national plan to make sure we become independent of foreign oil.
WITH CONGRESSMAN LEE TERRY'S PLAN FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE...
WE WON'T HAVE TO BEG THEM EVER AGAIN FOR OIL.
Congressman Lee Terry's plan will produce more energy sources such as Cellulosic Ethanol that can be made from switchgrass, sweet sorghum, algae or any biomass. Congressman Terry has also authored the "Terry Tax Credit" bill to creat an incentive for consumers to buy hybrid or plug-in vehicles.
Congressman Terry's plan also includes tapping our existing stockpiles of oil shale. We can also increase our use of coal, while continuing to develop "coal to liquid" technologies. Another option: create synthetic aviation fuel from coal.
Congressman Terry's plan calls for wholesale change in how we find and tap new energy supplies. We need to repeal a congressional prohibition on drilling for oil offshore and in Alaska. This can be done safely with a concern for the environment.
Together, we can make America self-sufficient on energy. Here's how we do it:
U.S. consumers use 20 million barrels of oil per day. Two-thirds of that is imported. Lee's plan closes this "fuel gap" using energy produced here in America.
LEE'S LEGISLATION ON ENERGY:
* H.R.632 - H-Prize Act (Rep. Lipinski introduced);
* H.R. 2927 (Hill-Terry) - Increasing fuel economy;
* H.R.157 - Fuel Savings, Smarter Travel, and Efficient Roadways Act (Rep. Holt introduced);
* H.R. 805 - to promote hydrogen infrastructure (Rep. Doyle introduced);
* H.R. 2001 - Industrial Cogeneration Act (Rep. Inslee introduced);
* H.R. 2471 - Refinery Streamlined Permitting Act (Rep Tiahrt introduced);
* H.R. 2492 - Motorist's Bill of Rights: Increasing Gas Supply, Reducing Demand, and Protecting Consumers from Gouging (Rep. Upton introduced)
Energy Bills Introduced in the 110th Congress (or Original Co-sponsor)
Introduced
* H.R. 2858 (E85 Promotion) - The sweet sorghum research demonstration project provision was offered to the House Farm bill and approved by Rules. It became the base for the En Bloc amendment which Chairman Peterson offered and was approved in this manner. This provision was drafted as a result of meetings with UNL.
* Government Fleet Flex Fueling Pumps - Rep. Stupak and I offered this amendment during the Energy and Commerce Committee Energy mark-up and it passed. (I later introduced it separately as H.R. 3117). The amendment mandates that each government fleet fueling center have at least one E85 pump. The goal is to expand access to and use of E85 and to help bring down the price of these pumps through leveraging the federal government's purchasing power.
* H.AMDT.747 to H.R.3221 (House Energy bill) - The floor amendment encourages the use of geothermal technology in government buildings and requires GSA to establish geothermal building codes; It was approved and became part of the Energy law enacted in December.
* Closed-loop Ethanol Plants Amendment - Closed-loop plants operate in conjunction with large feedlots and use the methane from the cattle manure to power the ethanol plant. The amendment would have made these facilities eligible for existing loan guarantees. I offered the amendment during the Energy and Commerce Energy bill mark-up, but it was ruled out of order. However, Chairman Boucher committed to work with him on this during the cap and trade legislation.
Energy Bills Introduced in the 109th Congress (or Original Co-sponsor)
Introduced
* H.R. 359 - The Liquefied Natural Gas Act (included in EPACT05);
* H.R. 423 - Homeland Infrastructure Power Security and Assurance Incentives Act (included in EPACT05);
* H.R. 424 - The Energy Efficiency Investment Act (included in EPACT05);
* H.R. 1127 - The Renewable Energy Production Incentive Reform & Reauthorization Act (included in EPACT05);
* Offered a committee amendment to EPACT05 to nearly double authorization levels for hydrogen (w/ Rep. Doyle). It passed.
* Offered a committee amendment to EPACT05 to include "livestock methane" in the list of facilities eligible for renewable energy incentive payments
Original Co-Sponsor
* H.R.454 - Natural Gas Production Act (Rep Cole introduced);
* H.CON.RES.424 (25 x '25 resolution) - The United States should produce 25% of its energy from renewable resources by 2025 (Rep. Goodlatte introduced);
* H.R.652 - Fuel Tax Equalization Credit for Substantial Power Takeoff Vehicles Act (Rep. Ron Lewis introduced);
* H.R.1608 - Fuels Security Act (Rep. Herseth introduced);
* H.R.1640 - Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Rep. Barton introduced);
* H.R.3986 - Fuel Savings, Smarter Travel, and Efficient Roadways Act (Rep. Holt introduced);
* H.R.4409 - Fuel Choices for American Security Act (Rep. Kingston introduced);
* H.R.5010 - Renewable Energy Credit Extension Act (Included in EPACT05 - Rep. Wilson introduced);
* H.R.5143 - H-Prize Act (Rep. Inglis introduced);
* H.R.5208 - Independence from Oil with Agriculture (Rep. Nussle introduced);
* H.R.5650 - Renewable Fuels and Energy Independence Promotion Act (Rep. Hulshof introduced);
* H.R.5953 - To provide for the establishment of the Commission for the Deployment of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, and for other purposes (Rep. Wynn introduced);
Energy Bills Introduced in the 108th Congress (or Original Co-sponsor)
Introduced
* H.R. 1458 - Homeland Infrastructure Power Security and Assurance Incentives Act (included in EPACT05);
* H.R. 2113 - The Energy Efficiency Investment Act (included in EPACT05);
* H.R. 4413 - Liquefied Natural Gas Import Terminal Development Act (included in EPACT05).
Original Co-Sponsor
* H.R.1423 - Preserving Our World's Energy and Resources Act (Rep. Engel introduced);
* H.R.1904 - Healthy Forests Restoration Act (Rep. McInnis introduced) - contains biomass provisions;
Energy Bills Introduced in the 107th Congress (or Original Co-sponsor)
Introduced
* H.R. 2206 - The Energy Efficiency Investment Act;
* H.R. 3089 - Renewable and Distributed Energy Net Metering Act.
Original Co-Sponsor
* H.R. 622 - Economic Security and Worker Assistance Act (Rep. DeMint introduced) - extended expiring energy tax credits;
* H.R. 1101 - Public Utility Holding Company Act (Rep. Pickering introduced);
* H.R. 2088 - Biofuels Air Quality Act (Rep. Shimkus introduced);
* H.R. 2184 - Preserving Our World's Energy and Resources Act (Rep. Engel introduced);
* H.R.2249 - Gasoline Access and Stabilization Act (Rep. Blunt introduced);
Energy Bills Introduced in the 106th Congress (or Original Co-sponsor)
Introduced
* H.R. 3085 - Discretionary Spending Offsets Act for Fiscal Year 2000 - Failed on the suspension calendar.
Original Co-Sponsor
* H.CON.RES.256 - Expressing the sense of Congress with regard to the use of reformulated gasoline fuels, and for other purposes. (Rep. Ewing introduced);
* H.R.1001 - Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act (Rep. Hulshof introduced).
Source