Good morning.   I want to thank Chairman Barton and the other members for moving the energy bill so expeditiously through their respective committees… and the House leadership for bringing it to the floor.   As I told the members of the House Republican Conference a few moments ago, the Administration strongly supports the passage of H.R. 6 and commends the House for developing balanced legislation that is largely consistent with the President’s National Energy Policy.  This bill would significantly benefit consumers by increasing energy supplies while protecting the environment… and by fostering greater competition in the marketplace.   It also would improve our nation’s energy security by increasing the use and diversity of renewable energy sources… and by reducing the growth of energy consumption through greater energy efficiency and conservation.

A major way to make our country more energy independent is increasing domestic production… and we are gratified that the bill would open a small corner of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to environmentally responsible oil and gas exploration and development.   Another move toward greater energy independence is the development of alternative motor fuels.   This bill’s support of the President’s hydrogen fuel initiatives will help accelerate our efforts to develop and deploy pollution-free vehicles powered by hydrogen… which would lessen our need for foreign oil.  To help ensure our energy security… we also must modernize our energy infrastructure.

The bill’s electricity title would help strengthen the reliability of our transmission grid... and help create a more favorable investment climate for much-needed upgrades.

These provisions… and many more… make this bill a major milestone in addressing the critical energy issues that face our nation… and I look forward to working with the members of Congress in the days ahead as we advance this legislation that is so important to America’s future.

Media contact:  Jason Van Buren, 202/586-4940

Location:
Washington, D.C.