Earl Blumenauer: “By extension. Mr. Speaker, the fact is that these energy reserves are not going away, whether or not we involve…”

“By extension. Mr. Speaker, the fact is that these energy reserves are not going away, whether or not we involve ourselves with this inventory now, and as the gentlewoman from California points out, acting now does, in fact, carry some potential risks. But the bottom line is that some people, rather than dealing with a meaningful energy bill that would deal with global warming, vehicle efficiency, serious energy conservation and alternative energy development, they want to continue driving, looking through the rearview mirror. The conference committee report would limit States' ability to participate in coastal planning decisions, undermining a bipartisan agreement on the Coastal Zone Management Act. The energy bill in conference now contains this provision that we have been talking about that undermines the long-standing, bipartisan agreement against the new oil and gas drilling in the Outer Shelf, and we have referenced the fact that this refers to the States, including my own, that are adamantly opposed to it. The House, as has been pointed out, passed an amendment to the energy bill specifically to remove the provision requiring this unnecessary inventory. The only reason to put it in now is that people want to move ahead with drilling. Not only are we avoiding real solutions, we are now taking actions that can threaten the health of our oceans when they are dramatically imperiled right now.”