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Rep. McDermott Remarks on Energy
Legislation
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Remarks
H.R. 5351 - House of Representatives February 27, 2008
Mr. Speaker:
Big Oil has America over the proverbial barrel. Not only are we paying over $100 a barrel for oil; paying over $3.30
a gallon at the pump, and it could soon hit $4 a gallon; not only are
oil companies piling up record profits of $10 billion a quarter; but
the American people also are sending truck loads of taxpayer cash to
fatten Big Oil’s wallet even more.
The legislation before us today would stop the madness of the
American people subsidizing oil companies after they got their
Republican friends in the White House and the People’s House to
give them a windfall they didn’t earn, deserve, or need. And, the legislation before us today would keep America on course
to a sustainable, renewable energy future. We can dramatically reduce energy consumption by dramatically
increasing energy efficiency and this bill does that. Using tax
credits and interest free financing to partner with the American
people to enable them to renovate their homes to reduce consumption
and install efficient appliances.
We can dramatically increase the development and deployment of
alternative fuels like biodiesel, and produce advanced biodiesel
fuels with an even lower carbon footprint, and this bill goes in that
direction. We can dramatically increase the development of clean and renewable
resources like solar, and this bill does that. Extending the
Investment Tax Credit for solar energy production will keep 240
million tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere. It’s like
parking 52 million cars.
Today, we declare that America will not permit corporate greed to
force the American people to choose between food on the table or fuel
to heat their home or get to work. Today, we declare that Congress will put the American people ahead
of Big Oil. Today, we declare that America will power tomorrow with clean,
renewable and sustainable resources. Today, we declare we will
consume less power tomorrow.
I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation and declare the dawn
of a new day in America, when the rising sun not only symbolizes the
hope for a new day, but delivers the energy for a new tomorrow.
Thank you.
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