Douglas Alexander: “I am here today to introduce, along with the Senator from Virginia, Mr. Warner, the Environmentally Responsible Wind…”

“I am here today to introduce, along with the Senator from Virginia, Mr. Warner, the Environmentally Responsible Wind Power Act of 2005. The legislation that Senator Warner and I offer provides for local authorities to be notified and have a role in the approval of the signing of tens of thousand of massive wind turbines that will be built in America under current policies. It also ensures that the Federal Government does not subsidize the building of these windmills, which are usually taller than a football field is long, within 20 miles of a military base or a highly scenic location, such as a national park or offshore. Senator Warner and I introduce our legislation today because next week the Senate Energy Committee is scheduled to begin markup on one of the most important pieces of legislation in this session, an energy bill. The Energy Committee's work, combined with the work of the Environment and Public Works Committee, which the distinguished occupant of the chair chairs, and the Finance Committee should this year produce a Clean Energy bill that will, over time, lower prices of natural gas and oil and reduce our dependence on overseas oil. This will be legislation for American blue-collar workers, for farmers, and for homeowners. It is urgently needed. Natural gas prices are the highest in the industrialized world. Gasoline prices are at record levels.…”