Jerry Brown: “Mr. Chairman, it should not take a hike in the price of gasoline, such as we have experienced over the last year, for…”

“Mr. Chairman, it should not take a hike in the price of gasoline, such as we have experienced over the last year, for the Congress to remember its responsibilities to the energy supply and security of this Nation. However, because the last few years of relative calm in the energy markets have lulled us into complacency, perhaps this sharp jab resulting from these gasoline price increases may have been just what we needed. It is a fact that our only insurance policy against future energy security problems, against further pollution and degradation of the environment and jolts to the economy from gasoline price hikes is energy research and development, and yet the bill before us today cuts energy research and development rather drastically. I think that there may be some in this body who believe that the American public somehow will not notice that the Congress is cutting energy and renewables R&D even at this time of increased gasoline prices. Perhaps they think it is just too technical for the American public to grasp. However, poll after poll shows that the American public not only knows about these energy R&D programs but overwhelmingly supports them.”