Frank Pallone: “This energy bill does nothing for solar, wind, or any other clean energy technology. It does nothing for energy…”

“This energy bill does nothing for solar, wind, or any other clean energy technology. It does nothing for energy infrastructure either since all funding in the bill was stripped by the GOP. The bill contains an energy efficiency title that actually results in more energy consumption. The bill contains provisions that will drive up electricity prices in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic by rigging the markets to prop up old and uneconomical coal and nuclear plants that are losing out in the market to cost-effective natural gas and renewables. {time} 1830 It also has provisions to help gas pipeline companies and hydroelectric licenses that will roll over environmental laws--like the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the NEPA--and undermine the rights of consumers, tribes, and States. Of course, the version that will be on the floor will have a couple of bad additions from the Committee on Natural Resources, including the MacArthur ``pipeline through parks'' legislation that would make it easy to run pipelines through Yellowstone, Yosemite, and every other national park. Mr. Chairman, this is a terrible bill that demonstrates that the Republican Party is solely focused on the energy policies of the past and is committed to throwing up barriers to the development of a clean and sustainable energy future. Every Democrat should join us and the Obama administration in opposing the bill's passage. Mr.…”