Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008

Floor Speech

Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Let me commend Mr. Rangel again for his continued leadership on a very important national issue.

Mr. Speaker, this morning's New York Times headlines tell part of the story: ``Gas Prices Soar, Posing a Threat to the Family Budget.'' Gas prices have been soaring for the last 2 years. Last evening's newscast led with, ``What's Happened to Gasoline Prices?''

If you live in the Northeast, Mr. Speaker, you know what's happened to low-income and middle-class families during this winter heating season. They are struggling to pay energy costs that have skyrocketed in the middle of a harsh winter.

The elderly are particularly vulnerable at a time when they are trying to secure medicine, food and other daily necessities. Circumstances similar to this were evident last week when HHS belatedly released $40 million in emergency contingency funds from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP.

By the way, for our Republican friends who might have forgotten, it was Congressman Silvio Conte, a Republican, who helped to inaugurate the LIHEAP program here in Congress that has done so much good for all Americans.

We can and should do more so that struggling people don't have to fear the possibility of going to bed in a cold house. In a Nation that has been blessed with so much, we ought to be able to agree on the necessities of food and medicine and shelter, and, yes, to make sure people don't go to bed in a cold house.

This bill offers important incentives for renewable and efficient energy programs, as well as energy conservation.

We held hearings last year on all of these initiatives. They were met with standing-room-only audiences. People are anxious to explore the advantages of alternative energy resources.

This legislation in front of us today helps to invite a debate and a discussion about where we need to go as a Nation. This important legislation calls attention to the opportunity to promote progressive energy and cost savings for the American family.

Whether it's clean, renewable energy bonds for municipalities, something I am particularly excited about, and my guess is even those who don't like this bill today on the Republican side, they will encourage their municipalities to take advantage of these opportunities should they arise.

It also offers a residential energy-efficient property credit. It offers improved incentives for businesses to deploy wind, solar, geothermal and other promising technologies.

I would think if you were a Member of Congress from Texas, you certainly would like the incentives that are offered here on the basis of wind power.

This legislation will put us on a path to cleaner, greener and stronger families and a stronger America.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source