House
Begins Energy Bill Mark-Up, Notes NCGA (4-07-05)
The House Energy and
Commerce Committee began its mark-up yesterday on the House version
of the comprehensive energy bill. Following brief opening statements,
the committee began the mark-up process, which will run through
next week. It is expected the bill will make its way to the House
floor the week of April 18.
The House Resources and
Ways and Means committees also are expected to have completed their
energy mark-ups by then so their provisions may be added to the
final product.
While the House Energy
and Commerce Committee had hoped to work through amendments to at
least the first three titles of the bill, it adjourned before completing
work on amendments to Title II. The ethanol and fuels provisions
are in Title XV.
Committee Chair Joe Barton (R-Texas) said he expects between 70
and 80 amendments to be introduced with debate focusing on the legal
protections for producers of the fuel additive methyl tertiary butyl
ether (MTBE); language that gives federal regulators authority over
siting liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals; and plans to
strike provisions that would require transmission customers who
benefit from upgrades to the nation's power grid to pay for those
upgrades themselves.
In related action, National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Leon Corzine, in a letter
to Barton on Tuesday, applauded the committee’s efforts to
pass comprehensive energy legislation as a matter of energy, national
and economic security. He urged the committee to act expeditiously.
Citing that oil prices
have climbed to more than $58 a barrel and the national average
price for gasoline has now soared to $2.21, up from $1.89 one month
ago, Corzine asked the committee to include in the energy legislation
provisions that will: increase the production and use of domestic
renewable fuels; expand domestic production and construction of
infrastructure for natural gas and other energy resources; and provide
federal loan guarantees and other incentives for the retrofitting
of existing natural gas-fired facilities with the new integrated
gasification combined-cycle and other advanced clean coal technologies.
The letter also notes
that ethanol, a renewable fuel, is not the only solution to ending
the U.S. dependence on foreign oil, but is playing an integral part
in finding a long-term energy security solution. “Approximately
30 percent of the nation’s gasoline is now blended with ethanol,
stimulating all sectors of the U.S. economy, bringing desperately
needed jobs to rural America, and contributing to a ‘greener’
way of living,” said Corzine.
The letter also addresses
another key issue--natural gas prices--which are having adverse
affects on energy and U.S. farmers. Corzine notes increased natural
gas prices are negatively impacting farmers through higher production
costs and will continue to do so in the future. He said reasonably
priced natural gas is essential to grower profitability.
“Congress
needs to enact a comprehensive energy policy now that provides an
enhanced role for renewable energy sources, further development
of all energy resources for a more diverse portfolio, and environmentally
sensitive production of adequate domestic supplies of natural gas,”
the letter concludes.