Date: 2003-11-18
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I want to congratulate and thank both Chairman DOMENici and Chairman TAUZIN for taking on the enormous task of crafting comprehensive energy legislation. and doing so in a manner that was fair. effective. and successful. In years past we have allowed energy legislation to die in Conference. This year we have made good on our promises. and are closer to enacting muchneeded energy reforms. It has been almost a decade since this country has had any type of sound energy policy. I commend President Bush for his courage in advocating a balanced energy plan. and both of our Chairmen for taking these measures up as quickly and decisively as possible. I am pleased to have been part of the Conference on this legislation. and to support everyones hard work here today. This Conference Report conserves energy. increases energy production. and will help end our dependence on foreign oil. As I noted when we started Conference on this legislation. today over fifty percent of our oil comes from other countriesthat is not only a threat to national security. but it affects the energy prices of every American. The legislation we consider today is an Improvement over both the House and Senate bills passed earlier this year. Indeed. In many instances. we have taken "the best of both worlds." The Conference Report adopts the House language regarding Alaskan pipeline construction training. This provision ensures that training will be delivered through our existing onestop WIA delivery systems. and that the program will be available to a broad range of participants. Natural gas gathering lines is an issue that I have worked closely on for years. This is an important provision that settles a longrunning dispute between the IRS and natural gas producers. There have been differing opinions in various circuit courts on the proper depreciable life of these gas lines. I am glad that this Issue is finally being resolved. The Conference Reports provisions regarding workplace protections for socalled. whistlbloWeis has been muCh improved= House language in last years. energybill hag been strengthened to ensure that employees have the necessary protections they deserve. while also balancing the ability of the Department of Labor to Investigate these complaints. This ensures that while all workers are protected. we are not allowing for frivolous actions. The Conference Report also supports the Presidents proposal by including House language to ensure that we maintain a viable weatherizatlon assistance program. Language in the conference report regarding energyrelated scientific and technical careers has been tailored to target those truly in need of help. and to eliminate outdated models of "assistance." Finally. the Conference Report deletes several unnecessary provisions. including Senate language expanding the federal governments role in school construction. and language that would micromanage personnel decisions at the Department of Labor. I would express my disappointment in the final product before us In just one regard. I am disappointed that the Conference Report before us does not Include the House language providing for an oil and gas leasing program for the exploration. development. and production of the oil and gas resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve. I strongly supported this provision. which would have expanded our natural energy supply. which now more than ever Is critical to our national energy security policy. I would hope that as we pass this bill today. we do not lose sight of the Importance of this provision. I would urge our Republican leadership to revisit this critically important issue when we return next year. In closing. I reiterate my support for the President In proposing a comprehensive plan. and both houses of Congress. and in particular our Chairmen. for taking quick action to make this plan- law. The legislation before us goes a long way toward addressing our nations near- and longterm energy needs. as well as our national energy security policy. I urge my colleagues to support this important and muchneeded legislation.