Sherwood Boehlert: “sadly, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6. I say sadly because the Nation needs a balanced, forward-looking energy policy.…”

“sadly, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6. I say sadly because the Nation needs a balanced, forward-looking energy policy. Our economic and national security depend on our energy security. That's why I was so pleased when President Bush and Vice President Cheney took a step that their predecessors hadn't and challenged the Congress to come up with a sensible energy plan. Unfortunately, we have failed to live up to that challenge. What we have instead is a bill that purports to be what it is not. We hear that H.R. 6 is forward-looking, but in reality it just protects the status quo. We hear that H.R. 6 is balanced, but in reality it is weighted heavily toward fossil fuels. We hear that H.R. 6 is fair, but in reality it is replete with targeted subsidies and tax breaks and projects. We hear that the process of writing H.R. 6 was open, but in reality that was not the case. I don't have time to list all the provisions that could prove my point. In fact, I'm sure Members will be finding provisions for years as their constituents call about problems that will be traced back to this bill. All I will point out now is that what is missing from this bill is as problematic as what it contains. This bill has no fuel economy standards for cars; it has no renewable energy goals for utilities. Indeed, it has nothing much at all that will make us more energy independent and secure. We've missed an opportunity with this bill.…”