Alan Simpson: “I agree with everything the gentleman just said, but I disagree with the amendment. Everything he said is absolutely…”

“I agree with everything the gentleman just said, but I disagree with the amendment. Everything he said is absolutely accurate. My colleague's amendment would increase funding for the Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, or CESER, account, by using the Fossil Energy account as an offset. I share my colleague's support for the important work funded by the CESER account, and the underlying bill reflects that support. In fact, the CESER account was provided an increase of $50 million over last year's level. That is a 52 percent increase in this bill. Put another way, that is the single largest percentage increase in any account in this bill. I support the CESER account and efforts to enhance the cybersecurity and resilience of our electrical grid. That is why the bill provides the highest level of funding these research and development activities have ever had. However, my colleague's amendment would take away funds from other important research and development activities. The Fossil Energy account focuses on research and development activities that ensure the Nation is using its abundant natural resources as safely, cleanly, and efficiently as possible. Targeted increases to the Fossil Energy account support technological advances in carbon capture, carbon storage, and advanced energy generation technologies. Cuts to the Fossil Energy account threaten these innovations.…”