U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) joined Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman, and Democratic members of the Senate Energy Committee in unveiling comprehensive national energy legislation that balances energy production and energy efficiency.
The Energy Policy Act of 2002 has three important objectives: 1) diversify fuels and technologies for adequate and affordable supplies of energy in the future, including renewables, natural gas, oil, coal, hydropower, and nuclear power; 2) improve the efficiency and productivity of energy transmission and use, including the efficiency of energy use in vehicles, industry, commercial equipment, appliances, and buildings; and 3) addresses other important policy goals, such as infrastructure security, protection of the environment, and global climate change. "This comprehensive and balanced measure establishes the long-term plan America needs for diversifying energy supplies, enhancing conservation of energy resources, and ensuring reliable domestic supplies of energy," Akaka said.
The Energy Policy Act of 2002 includes provisions reauthorizing the Hydrogen Future Act. Reauthorization of the Act would continue research, development, and demonstrations of technologies to advance the use of hydrogen as an energy source. It authorizes $420 million over four years for this purpose. Senator Akaka is a champion of alternative energy sources, and has been the major force behind the two previous reauthorizations of the hydrogen bill. Along with Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), he introduced the Hydrogen Future Act of 2001.
"Hydrogen is a zero-pollution, domestically produced fuel that can help us resolve our energy problems and dependence on foreign oil. I am convinced that sometime in the 21st century, hydrogen will join electricity as one of our Nation's primary energy carriers, and hydrogen will ultimately be produced from renewable sources," Akaka said.
"In the next twenty years, concerns about global climate change and energy security will establish hydrogen in several niche markets. The growth of fuel cell technology will allow the introduction of hydrogen in both the transportation and electricity sectors. Progress is being made and challenges and barriers are being surmounted at an accelerating pace on a global scale."
The comprehensive legislation also includes other provisions of particular significance to the State of Hawaii. The bill authorizes an assessment of the economic risk posed to Hawaii by our dependence on oil as the principal source of energy. It also calls for assessment of increasing the contribution of renewable sources to the overall energy requirements of Hawaii, and requires an evaluation of the feasibility of using liquid natural gas to supplement oil.
The Energy Policy Act has significant provisions for integration of energy policy and climate change policy. Senator Akaka has long advocated for greater understanding and monitoring of global climate change because of its implications for Hawaii and the Pacific islands. It would establish the National Office of Climate Change Response in the Executive Office of the President with responsibility to develop the United States climate change response strategy. It also establishes the Office of Climate Change Technology within the Department of Energy with primary responsibility for developing technologies critical to long-term stabilization of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The bill amends the Global Change Research Act of 1990 and the National Climate Program Act to establish a national climate services and monitoring program for climate and atmospheric trends. The bill establishes an ocean and coastal observing system providing long-term, continuous and real-time observation of the oceans and coasts, and provides for the development of coastal adaptation plans with particular attention to areas of special needs such as the Arctic and island states such as Hawaii. It requires the Secretary of Commerce to issue an annual report identifying greenhouse emissions and trends on a local, regional and national level. The Secretary is also required to undertake regional assessments on coastal vulnerability to the hazards associated with climate change, variability and sea level rise.
"If we do not begin to control greenhouse gases in a reasonable time frame, we may reach the point where it may be exceedingly difficult to avoid the drastic effects of global warming," Akaka warned. "It will not take extremes of warming to lead to major impacts.
"The sooner we start on this the better off we will be. An effective program to fight climate change need not involve huge increases in energy prices or draconian rules that choke industries and damage our economic well-being. We need to employ creative approaches and let American ingenuity loose."
The Senate is expected to consider the Energy Policy Act of 2002 early next year, with floor consideration tentatively set for mid-February 2002.
