Local News
Hayes votes in favor of House Energy Bill
Thursday, September 18, 2008 — Congressman Robin Hayes (NC-08) on Tuesday voted to support new legislation that would lift the full moratorium on new energy drilling off the coasts of states like North Carolina.
Hayes said he supported the bill because it was a minor step forward; however, Hayes called the bill weak.
Congressman Hayes made the following statement regarding H.R. 6899:
“I have said that I support doing everything possible to lower energy costs. This is something, but it’s anemic.
“This bill would remove the total ban on offshore drilling in states such as North Carolina, allowing for some exploration of oil and natural gas on the outer continental shelf; therefore, I supported this bill because it’s a tiny step forward.
“But the problem with this bill is that it is only one tiny step forward when our country has miles to go in order to achieve energy independence.
“In this bill, the federal government will only allow states to drill on areas that are 50 miles off their shores, while experts tell us that the vast quantity of reserves are 25 miles off our nation’s coasts. If we are going to allow drilling, why wouldn’t we do it where the oil is?
“And to make matters worse, this bill would NOT allow States like North Carolina share any of the revenue from new offshore production. In my mind, states like North Carolina should not only be able to obtain royalties, but pass these funds on to state taxpayers and businesses as direct ‘dividend’ payments which would be an incredible incentive for businesses to locate to a state like North Carolina and create jobs.
“Furthermore, this bill does not address the issue of expanding our nation’s refining capacity and it does not address the issue of more nuclear plants. It seems as if this bill is a ‘do as little as possible approach,’ rather than a ‘let’s do everything approach.’”
In an effort to amend this bill, the Minority called for a vote on the Comprehensive, Environmentally Responsi-ble Energy Plan for America, which Hayes was an original sponsor, and he voted to support this evening.
This bipartisan bill, led by U.S. Representatives Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), John Peterson (R-Pa.), Jim Costa (D- Calif.) and Dan Burton (R-Ind.), is a true comprehensive energy solution for America.
This legislation provides the first stable, designated funding source for the development of alternative fuels, renewable energy and environmental restoration by allocating the estimated $2.6 trillion in oil royalties from oil and gas production in the Outer Continental Shelf.
In addition, this bill seeks to combine responsible, targeted increases in domestic oil and gas production with an intensified effort to move vehicles to nonpetroleum alternatives and a strong federal conservation and energy efficiency commitment.
Even though the Compre-hensive, Environmentally Responsible Energy Plan for America had more than 150 cosponsors — Democrats and Republicans alike — it failed by a recorded vote of 191-226.
The bill will now have to be approved by the Senate and then signed by the president in order to become a law. The Senate Majority Leader sets the calendar and he has not said when he plans to bring this bill to the Senate floor for a vote, a Hayes spokesperson said.
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