William Tauzin: “Today we do something in this House we have not done in a decade. We enact a comprehensive energy policy for our…”

“Today we do something in this House we have not done in a decade. We enact a comprehensive energy policy for our country. After years of indifference toward America's energy future, we are about to take a giant leap forward. The bill we are considering today, the Securing America's Future Energy Act, the SAFE Act, will be the first major energy legislation of the 21st century, and it reflects 21st century values and ideas. It advances a balanced approach to energy production and use by encouraging a responsible, diverse mix of energy sources along with a significant investment in conservation and increased efficiency. The SAFE Act charts a path to increased energy security and a cleaner environment; secure, reliable, affordable energy for Americans. Americans last winter saw their natural gas heating bills rise in the Midwest 73 percent, saw the Northeast heating bills rise 27 percent, saw gasoline prices rise 40 and 50, in some cases 70 cents a gallon. Americans are pleased to know that today we begin a short-term and long-term permanent energy policy to correct those security deficiencies.”