Bob Filner: “I rise today to oppose this Energy bill. Rather than emphasizing conservation and renewable energy sources, this bill…”

“I rise today to oppose this Energy bill. Rather than emphasizing conservation and renewable energy sources, this bill focuses on destroying our natural resources and using fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. Supporters of this bill claim it is a consumer friendly bill that increases Americans' access to cheaper energy. Admittedly, there are a few positive aspects of the bill. For example, there are incentives to use cellulosic biomass ethanol. This not only makes gasoline cleaner, but it also creates jobs and other uses for crops such as sugar cane. There are also a few incentives to use renewable fuels such as wind and solar energy. Unfortunately, the rest of the provisions in this bill show its true colors. It provides monetary incentives for big oil and gas companies that are nearly twice as much as those that are available for conservation and the use of alternative fuels. These measures do not reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Further, by giving big companies incentives to burn fossil fuels it puts our air quality at risk--our tax dollars are funding the polluting of our air. It doesn't stop with our air. It also puts our water at risk by weakening protections of rivers, coastal areas, and drinking water. As if that wasn't enough, this bill opens the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to gas and oil drilling, destroying one of our last great natural resources.”