Bill Flores: “I rise to offer my amendment, which would address another restrictive and misguided Federal regulation. Section 526 of…”

“I rise to offer my 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. Simply put, my amendment would stop the government from enforcing the ban on the U.S. Department of Agriculture and all other Federal agencies funded by the Ag 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, based on the opinion of environmentalists that coal-based jet fuel produces more greenhouse gas emissions than traditional petroleum. Earlier this week, I offered my similar amendment to the MILCON-VA approps bill, and it passed this House by a voice vote. My friend from Texas (Mr. Conaway) also had language added to the defense authorization bill to exempt the Defense Department from this burdensome regulation. We must ensure that our military becomes energy independent and can efficiently rely on domestic and more stable sources of fuel. But section 526's ban on fuel choice applies to all Federal agencies, not just the Defense Department. This is why I am offering this amendment again today.…”