Nick Rahall: “Mr. Chairman, title VII of the pending legislation is the Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007, which was…”

“Mr. Chairman, title VII of the pending legislation is the Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007, which was produced by our Committee on Natural Resources. The fundamental premise behind this title of H.R. 3221 is that we must restore accountability and integrity in the Federal onshore and offshore energy leasing programs and ensure that the public interest is upheld when it comes to managing energy development on Federal lands, while advancing alternative energy strategies, preserving coal's role in a global climate-sensitive world, and addressing the impacts on wildlife, coastal areas, and our oceans as a result of climate change. There are many issues contained in this title, but at this time I would highlight subtitle D. That would initiate a framework for enabling our Nation to sequester carbon dioxide under the ground to ensure the future use of fuel, such as coal, in an environmentally responsible fashion. We can talk about ethanol and other biofuels and wind and solar, et cetera, all we want, but the fact of the matter is that coal, which produces half of our electricity in this country, will continue to be a mainstay through the foreseeable future. At the same time, any of us representing coalfields in this country recognize that we must, as a Nation, aggressively pursue strategies and technologies to capture and store the carbon dioxide.”