Political Quotes

“over 25 years ago, in May 1977, Congressman Oberstar testified in front of the Public Buildings Subcommittee, chaired by former Congressman Norman Mineta, our current Secretary of Transportation, about the stark reality of our energy demands. As everyone knows, a few years earlier, in 1973, the oil embargo had sent shock waves through the nation as energy prices soared. For the first time, with the exception of fuel rationing during World War II, America faced a serious shortage of energy. Long lines formed at the gas pumps and a national maximum speed limit was set at 55 m.p.h. President Nixon ordered the lights on our monuments and public buildings here in Washington turned off to save power and encourage the nation to cut back on its energy consumption. Then, in 1977 we staggered again under the natural gas fuel crisis. In 1977 President Carter created the Department of Energy by combining the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), the Federal Power Commission, the Federal Energy Administration, and several programs in the Department of Interior. At this time the Federal renewable energy program was enhanced to include basic and applied research and development, and encouraged partnerships with the private sector in demonstration projects. In developing incentives for the renewable energy program the Federal Government stepped in and created market incentives through a series of residential and business tax credits.”