Tim Walberg: “This amendment would prohibit the leasing plan from including leasing on Federal lands that are viable for renewable…”

“This amendment would prohibit the leasing plan from including leasing on Federal lands that are viable for renewable energy production. This amendment is nothing more than an attempt to force the government to pick winners and losers in the marketplace by mandating only renewable production on certain lands. It is also shortsighted given some of the serious environmental and land degradation concerns the build-out of massive swaths of solar panels and wind turbines create. The intent of H.R. 21 is to protect the SPR and increase domestic production of oil and gas. This would do the opposite. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.”