By U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud(D-Maine)
As I write this, the Senate continues to negotiate on how to move forward on an energy bill. This week, the House of Representatives passed a bill (H.R. 6899) that contained increased domestic drilling, investments in renewable energy, and provisions that will lower prices for consumers in the near-term. But there is still room to do more. Overall, the bill that the House passed strikes a positive balance that would help reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil and lower prices for consumers. I commend the inclusion of a provision that would further the development of renewable sources of power that will create continued investment in Maine, including wind, biomass, and marine renewable power.
In addition to these investments, there was a positive provision included in the bill that could lead to additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Another provision included in the bill would help lower consumer costs immediately. H.R. 6899 would temporarily release nearly 10 percent of the oil from the government’s stockpile (known as the Strategic Petroleum Reserve), and replaces it later with heavier, cheaper crude oil. Past releases have brought down prices by up to 33 percent.
But while there was plenty to be pleased about with this bill, it was not all smooth sailing.
This summer I wrote a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) urging cooperation and bipartisanship in the upcoming debate on energy that was expected when Congress reconvened in early September. Frankly, I have been disappointed in both of the leaders.
It’s not that the Speaker’s efforts were not appreciated. She did work with the committees to craft a comprehensive bill that does answer my call to consider the many proposals brought forward by Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, including an expansion of domestic drilling and an investment in renewables. But I was disappointed that when the bill got to the House floor for a vote that it was considered under a closed rule – meaning that there would be no room to amend the final bill.
The process should have been more open and allowed for debate on provisions sought by Democrats and Republicans alike. In fact, I had submitted an amendment to the bill that would have established a task force to help identify programs that could help paper manufacturers and similar businesses lower their energy costs, especially through the implementation of renewable energy technology. The task force created in the amendment would also look to the future, recommending new ways to help these manufacturers decrease their energy costs. While I intend to introduce the language as a standalone bill and push for its passage, its lack of consideration concerned me.
I recognize that this is an extremely partisan year with an election around the corner, but working together is the only way to move forward. That’s why I have also been disappointed in Minority Leader Boehner’s divisive rhetoric on the overall energy issue. Drilling is a necessary part of our energy solution, but it is not the only thing that we should be doing as a country to plan for our energy future. We must invest in renewable and alternative energy and pass provisions that lower prices for consumers immediately.
Americans understand that no single solution will solve our energy crisis. It may score some points on the stump, but playing politics when people are really trying to come together and compromise to get something done is not the way forward. It is especially uncalled for when millions of families are struggling to make ends meet, fill their gas tanks, and plan for the winter. The American people deserve more from their leaders.
In the end, the House-passed bill represents a huge step forward. I will continue to urge congressional leaders in both chambers and from both parties to come together and negotiate. The solutions to our energy crisis will not come from one political party, but from consensus policies that are rooted in fact and that provide real results. I think that the American people are tired of the bickering and would just like to see something get done to move our country forward.
