James M. Jeffords: “Let me share my long-term interest in this matter. I came into the Congress in 1975. In that year, this Nation was in…”

“Let me share my long-term interest in this matter. I came into the Congress in 1975. In that year, this Nation was in terrible shape. The oil from the Mideast had been interdicted. We had long lines of cars, and everybody was in dire straits. A number of us at that time formed a coalition to do something about energy. The reason I bring it up is that much of what we are talking about today is much of what was proposed. First, Norm Mineta, then in the House with John Blanchard of Michigan and me, introduced the wind energy bill. It passed. We drew lots as to how it would be named. It turned out to be Blanchard's bill. That was a major move forward in wind energy. Photovoltaics was another great interest of mine. I have a fond memory of the coalition we put together at that time. We had over 80 members of the energy coalition, the solar coalition as it was called. So I went on to the House floor to offer an amendment. The amendment would have taken a large step forward in solar energy. The chairman of the subcommittee came to me and said: Son, you do not offer amendments to appropriations bills unless you check with me first. He said: Come in and I will see if I can get you a couple of million dollars for this project. I said: I am sorry, but I cannot do that. He said: Why can't you? I said: Because I have 80 cosponsors. He said: You have 80 cosponsors? Yes. Well, I guess we are going to have to battle it out. And we did.…”