Political Quotes

“Madam Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment which would address another restrictive and misguided Federal regulation. Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act prohibits Federal agencies from entering into contracts for the procurement of an alternative fuel unless its lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions are less than or equal to emissions from an equivalent conventional fuel produced from conventional petroleum sources. In summary, my amendment would stop the government from enforcing this ban on all Federal agencies funded by the CJS appropriations bill. The initial purpose of section 526 was to stifle the Defense Department's plans to buy and develop coal-based or coal-to-liquids jet fuels. This stifling was based on the opinion of environmentalists that coal-based jet fuel produces more greenhouse gas emissions than traditional petroleum. {time} 1710 I recently offered similar amendments to four appropriations bills last year and each passed this House by a voice vote. My friend, Mr. Conaway of Texas, also had language added to the Defense authorization bill last year to exempt the Defense Department from this burdensome regulation. We must ensure that our military has adequate fuel resources and can efficiently rely on domestic and more stable sources of fuel. But section 526's ban on fuel choice now affects all Federal Agencies, not just the Defense Department. This is why I'm offering this amendment again today for the CJS appropriations bill.…”