Debbie Dingell: “this bill here does not do much with regard to energy conservation. One thing that has to be done is to reauthorize the…”

“this bill here does not do much with regard to energy conservation. One thing that has to be done is to reauthorize the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, specifically with regard to the President's authority to draw down the strategic petroleum reserve to deal with any prolonged energy crisis, or any sharp spikes in the energy supply to the United States. It has been used before for this purpose, and it has worked admirably in terms of diminishing some of the more extraordinary movements in the oil and petroleum industry. The text of the amendment is exactly and precisely identical to S. 1051, which was authored by Senator Murkowski of Alaska, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent last year. I have always opposed precipitous use of the Reserve, which Congress directed should only be drawn down in a severe energy supply interruption, as determined by the President, and in accordance with specific statutory criteria. Certainly there is agreement now as to whether or not the hardships that Americans are currently experiencing, such as high heating oil prices and high gasoline costs, warrant the use of the Reserve. It is my view that they do not at this time.”