Sherwood Boehlert: “Mr. Chairman, who can be against clean, inexpensive energy? I am not, but does it make sense to pick out this one…”

“Mr. Chairman, who can be against clean, inexpensive energy? I am not, but does it make sense to pick out this one laudable goal and hold it up above all others, including medical advances, homeland security, technology that can drive faster economic growth? Yes, energy is important and this bill recognizes it. It is an important part of H.R. 766 and it is demonstrated by the portion of the bill that authorizes $265 million for nanotechnology research at the Department of Energy next year alone. That is significant. But energy is not more important than many of the other things that nanotechnology will do. Would you say it is more important than finding a cure for cancer? Or more important than protecting our borders in our fight for homeland security? These are all important, laudable goals, and the bill covers them all. Once again, we are not just throwing petty cash at this subject. We are devoting $265 million to it. The administration opposes this amendment, and so do I because it is too prescriptive. Therefore, I would urge a 'no' vote.”