Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, before I begin, I would like to Commend Congressmen Polis and Langevin for their work on this important amendment. The amendment we've offered will play an important role in safeguarding a healthy American environment and ensuring American taxpayers are not forced to subsidize the production of highly polluting energy resources. Let me be clear. This amendment in no way restricts Federal agencies' ability to procure readily available fuels. Instead, it clarifies that under section 526 of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, Federal agencies may purchase fuel that is not predominantly derived from higher carbon content sources like tar sands and coal to liquid. Turning coal into liquid fuel produces up to twice as much greenhouse gas pollution per unit of energy as conventional petroleum fuel, and fuel processed from tar sands generates 14-42 percent more greenhouse gas pollution per unit of energy compared to production of conventional petroleum fuels. Further, the extraction or production of these fuels is also incredibly destructive to an environment that is already suffering. The Federal Government should not play an inappropriate role subsidizing the production of these outdated, dirty energy sources, especially as we work to move our Nation toward a clean energy future. However, today most, if not all, publicly available fuel containing tar sands oil contains only small amounts of that resource.…”