On the recordJuly 26, 2011
Two points here: I think, number one, the gentlelady's amendment really helps define what the real issue here is. It isn't with, necessarily, the pipeline or its placement of the pipeline or a chemical that's in it. It's actually about whether we're going to continue to use oil. As we use more oil, it gets heavier. As I mentioned earlier with the amendment by the gentleman from Illinois, the EPA is doing this switch where you don't compare a heavy crude or sour to the same, like what's been brought in by Venezuela. Now you have to compare it to a different type of sweeter crude or easier to refine crude. The reality here--and that's the point that's made in the study itself, and the part that the gentlelady reads from, it is actually noting that we're using a heavier crude. So I just want to point out that that's kind of an unfair comparison. We have got to do heavy to heavy to determine if there's going to be an increase in greenhouse gasses. There's no rushing or expediting. This has been sitting around for 3 years. So it's really time to get up and do something. At this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus). (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
