House Energy Bill Proposes Off-Shore Drilling
ENERGY
Norwalk Hour
Jordan Zappala
Boston University Washington News Service
9/16/08
WASHINGTON – Rep. Christopher Shays (R-4th) spoke out against a Democratic-sponsored energy bill Tuesday, saying the Democratic leadership had rejected his and other efforts at compromise.
A day earlier, Democrats had introduced the bill as a compromise while simultaneously insisting that the measure be voted on without amendment.
Shays on Monday night had offered five amendments that would have included a refundable credit for home energy costs and required electric power companies to get more of their energy from renewable resources.
“These amendments would have markedly improved this bill,” Shays said in a press release. “There is nothing in this legislation to provide relief to consumers for home heating costs this winter or to address speculation in the energy futures market.”
The bill would put an end to a decades-old ban on off-shore drilling, which would be a major shift in policy for the Democratic leadership.
The legislation, described on the Web site of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as a “responsible compromise on drilling,” would give states the option to allow drilling between 50 and 100 miles off-shore on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, excepting the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and New England’s Georges Bank, which supports the most valuable fishery in America. Beyond 100 miles, the waters could be leased directly from the federal government.
The bill also would extend tax incentives for renewable energy and energy-efficient buildings, but many Republicans complain that the lack of revenue sharing would give states zero incentive to allow drilling off their shores.
On the floor Tuesday morning, obviously upset Republicans protested the short amount of time they had to digest the nearly 300-page bill, as well as the bill’s closed rule status, which allows for no amendments – a move intended to avoid anticipated Republican attempts to bring the drilling much closer to shore.
Shays also expressed his disapproval of the Democratic handling of the bill.
“It seems to me we should be having an open and honest debate on the energy issue,” he said. “It is unfortunate the majority did not allow more meaningful dialogue on how we can work together on a bipartisan basis to address our looming energy crisis.”
The legislation – the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act – comes after nearly five weeks of Republican protest on the House floor over the August adjournment without allowing a vote on the GOP’s own energy bill. Shays participated in the protest on Aug. 6.
“At a time when energy costs are so high, Congress should be working overtime to reduce demand, increase supply and address speculation in the oil futures market,” Shays said.
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