Timothy Roemer: “I rise in support of H.R. 363, which provides a 1-year extension, with no extra funding, to the electromagnetic fields…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 363, which provides a 1-year extension, with no extra funding, to the electromagnetic fields and health effects R&D and information-dissemination program at the Department of Energy. As we heard in March 19, 1997, in testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, this 5-year program seeks to clarify the risks to public health posed by electromagnetic fields. The authorization for this program currently ends in 1997--5 years after passage of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. However, with this termination date, the program will have actually had only 4 years to complete its tasks, because, through no fault of its own, the program began a year late due to the logistics of the budget cycle. If the program were to terminate at the end of fiscal year 1997, important tasks assigned to the program by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 would go undone. With a 1-year extension, however, these essential functions will be completed and presented to the public in a concise manner. As many Members are well aware, the issue of the health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields, such as those created by electric high wires, have been controversial and emotional issues.”