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| Press Releases |
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Chairman Stevens Introduces Legislation to Repeal Section 5 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act
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Washington, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has introduced legislation, S. 1977, a bill to repeal Section 5 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which has precluded upgrades to the Cherry Point refinery in Washington State.
S. 1977 removes the prohibition on federal agencies from issuing a permit for a marine terminal or dock in Puget Sound if the project would increase the refined products for distribution outside Washington State.
Under current law, refineries and related facilities in Washington State cannot be expanded to produce more gasoline, jet fuel, heating oil, or other energy products unless it only benefits Washington State. As other states on the West Coast struggle with high energy prices, such restrictions impose an undue burden.
“Current law has halted in its tracks the expansion of the Cherry Point Refinery that could supply gasoline and other products from Washington to other states on the West Coast,” said Stevens. “ I have introduced legislation to repeal this outdated and unfair law that results in limited supplies to other regions.”
Upon the introduction of his legislation, Chairman Stevens offered the following statement:
I come to the floor to introduce this bill, which repeals a provision in the 1977 reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 – a provision which unduly restricts our ability to get states on the West Coast the petroleum supplies they need.
In the last several weeks, some of our colleagues have participated in press conferences, sent out news releases, and come to the floor to talk about the impact of high energy prices. They have expressed concern about the effect these prices are having on our economy, our consumers, our businesses, and our national security. I share their concerns. In fact, for over three years I have been urging the Senate to deal with this situation.
It took one of the worst natural disasters in the history of our nation for many to evaluate our energy policy. While the circumstances are tragic, I am glad our colleagues are taking a closer look at this.
The plan our colleagues now support aims to achieve the right goal, but it offers the wrong solution. Their plan calls for energy independence—a goal which I support. But, they tout conservation as the only way to reach this goal. This approach would put us on the wrong course and fail to solve the larger problem.
Our country is in the midst of an energy crisis, and we cannot conserve our way out. To suggest otherwise does a great disservice to all Americans. We don’t need a hollow plan, we need results.
We cannot get out of this crisis by blaming Americans – who are just trying to live their lives, run their businesses, and get to and from work – for the situation we are in. This is not solely a consumption problem; much of this crisis stems from misguided policies which have locked up our lands and prevented us from building new refineries.
The only way to become energy independent is through a combination of initiatives. Conservation is one part of the broader solution. But, we also need to develop renewable and alternative sources of energy and invest in nuclear power. And, we must develop our domestic oil and gas resources which exist on federal lands.
The end to this crisis lies in the balance between conservation and development. Yes, I believe that Americans need to conserve our energy resources, but this alone won’t solve our energy crisis. To suggest it will is to greatly mislead the American public.
We need to get serious about our energy policy. My good friend and colleague, Senator Domenici, has told us we must expand on the energy bill. I agree with Senator Domenici, and I look forward to working with him on an energy policy for this country that makes sense.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita exposed a weakness in our domestic production and refining capability, a weakness some of us have been warning about for years. All Americans have been hit with higher energy prices in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Some colleagues have expressed concern that this situation was compounded by price gouging. Senator Inouye and I, along with our colleagues on the Commerce Committee, are evaluating several bills pertaining to that issue.
In the process of reviewing these concerns, the claims by those on the West Coast were of particular interest to me. Due to current restrictions in the MMPA, it is almost impossible for companies to expand their refineries to increase supply. The provision repealed by my bill is currently impacting the largest refinery on the West Coast, affecting more than 3000,000 gallons of fuel per day. I introduce this bill to enable us to get petroleum resources to West Coast states quickly, and urge my colleagues to support this initiative.
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| 17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Implement the U.S.-Russian Polar Bear Treaty
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today unanimously approved S. 2013, the United States-Russia Polar Bear Conservation and Management Implementation Act.
This bill, which implements the provisions of the Polar Bear Treaty signed by the United States and the Russian Federation, was introduced by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and is...
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| 17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Federal Trade Commission Nominations
- WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today approved the following nominations by unanimous consent:
William Kovacic to be a Federal Trade Commissioner
Thomas Rosch to be a Federal Trade Commissioner
PN842 - Coast Guard Admirals
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| 17th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves SPY BLOCK Act
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today reported S. 687, the Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge Act or the “SPY BLOCK Act,” by unanimous consent. The bill would outlaw a number of activities that are associated with spyware and strengthen the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s enforcement author...
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| 17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Advance Transportation Security
- WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today unanimously approved today the “Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2005,” S. 1052, introduced by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.)
The comprehensive legislation reasserts th...
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| 17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Amend the Age Restriction for Pilots
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved a substitute amendment offered by Senator Burns to S. 65, a bill to amend age restrictions for pilots, by voice vote. The bill was introduced by Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.).
Since 1960, federal regulations have specified that individuals age 60 and older may not serve as airline pilots on an...
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| 17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves the Weather Modification Research and Technology Transfer Act of 2005
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved S. 517, the Weather Modification Research and Technology Transfer Act of 2005 by voice vote. The bill is sponsored by Committee Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas)
S. 517 establishes within the Department of Commerce the Weather Modification Advisory and Research Board (WMARB) to promote the ...
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| 17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Extension of Aviation War Risk Insurance
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WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously approved today the “War Risk Extension Act of 2005,” S. 1102, introduced by Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) and co-sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Conrad Burns (R-Mont.).
S. 1102 extends the Federal Government’s existing war risk insurance co...
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| 17th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Bittering Agent Act of 2005
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today reported S. 1110, the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Bittering Agent Act of 2005, by voice vote. Consumer Affairs Subcommittee Chairman George Allen (R-Va.) originally introduced the bill, which was co-sponsored by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) Consumer ...
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| 15th - |
Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens Addresses U.S. Climate Change Science Program Workshop
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WASHINGTON, DC -- Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today addressed the U.S. Climate Change Science Program Workshop. Chairman Stevens’ remarks focused on the need to rely on sound science when making policy decisions.
The Climate Change Science Program Workshop is being held over three days and is sponsored by 13 government agencies. More information about the c...
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| 15th - |
Chairman Stevens Introduces Legislation to Implement the U.S.-Russian Polar Bear Treaty
- Washington, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has introduced the United States-Russia Polar Bear Conservation and Management Implementation Act to execute the provisions of the Polar Bear Treaty signed by the United States and the Russian Federation. Committee Co-Chairman Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) is a cosponsor of the bill.
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| 9th - |
current Press Release |
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| 8th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Open Forum on Decency
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Washington, D.C. – Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today announced that the Full Committee is planning to hold an "Open Forum on Decency" on November 29, 2005. A specific time and location will be announced at a later time.
Representatives from wide variety of groups, including cable, broadcasting, and other content industries, are expected to attend ...
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| 4th - |
Senate Confirms
Shana Dale to be Deputy Administrator of NASA
- The U.S. Senate this afternoon confirmed Shana Dale to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration by Unanimous Consent. Ms. Dale received the unanimous support of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee when her nomination was reported out of the Committee on Wednesday, November 2, 2005. ###
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| 3rd - |
Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act Added to Budget Reconciliation Bill in Senate
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling it one last chance for the Senate to be heard on whether it wants a national passenger rail system, Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi today asked the Senate to adopt as an amendment to the budget reconciliation bill, the Amtrak reform bill he introduced in July. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 93-6.
“I know it is highly unusual to add an authorizati...
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| 3rd - |
Senate Approves Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005
- WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Senate today passed the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 as part of the Budget Reconciliation Bill by a vote of 52-47.
The legislation, offered by U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), establishes two specific dates that will advance the transi...
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| 2nd - |
Commerce Committee Approves Nominations
- WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today approved the following nominations by unanimous consent:
Shana Dale to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mark Rosenker to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board
Kathryn Higgins to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board
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| 2nd - |
Chairman Stevens Argues Against
the Ensign Amendment
to Reduce Converter Box Program Funds
- Washington, D.C. – During debate today on the Senate’s Budget Reconciliation Act, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) opposed an amendment offered by Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) which would divert $2 billion from a converter box subsidy program contained in the Commerce Committee-approved Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 20...
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| 2nd - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves
the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005
- Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today reported S. 1063, the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005, by unanimous consent. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) originally introduced the bill, which was co-sponsored by Committee Members Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and John Kerry (D-Mass.).
During the mark-up...
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| 2nd - |
Opening Statement of Senator Ted Stevens
at Committee Mark-up of S.1063 and Nominees
- We are here today to consider S. 1063, the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005. Public safety has been a focus of the Committee and has been deliberately woven into the Commerce Committee’s agenda this year, especially in the context of communications. The Committee’s agenda has included numerous public safety-related hearings and critical pieces of legislatio...
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