Political Quotes

“I would like to begin by thanking Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for their diligence in this legislation. Mr. Chairman, I think every single American can agree that reducing our dependence on foreign oil is something that--and all foreign sources of energy--should be something that we should pursue, and in that vein, renewables is a significant component, but this bill cuts hydropower over $20 million. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would seek to restore funding specifically--not to all renewables--but to hydropower, and it is offset with a Department of Energy administrative cost. That is where the money is coming from. According to the budget office, the amendment actually reduces outlays by $8 million. Now, hydropower is available in every region of the country. It is not just the east coast. It is the whole way across the country, to the point that 2,200 hydropower plants provide America its most abundant source of clean, renewable electricity and accounts for 67 percent of domestic renewable generation or 7 percent of the total electricity generated. This could increase that 15 percent, creating over 1 million jobs by 2025--1.4 million, according to my figures. Mr. Chairman, hydroelectricity is predictable. You can count on it. It is not variable. You don't have to count on the wind blowing. You don't have to count on the Sun shining.…”