Pete Domenici

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I note the presence of Senator Dorgan. I understand he will shortly, at his disposal, offer some amendments with reference to hydrogen; is that correct?

Mr. DOMENICI. And the occupant of the Chair will be finished at 2 o'clock and will manage the bill for a while for us during the time he is discussing his, and we will perhaps speak in opposition. In any event, the Senator from New Mexico will also do that. I may be gone for just a while. I have a statement with reference to some of the support that has been forthcoming over the weekend that I want to read into the record so Senators are aware of where the various groups in our country are with reference to the amendment to strike the loan guarantees that are pending under the bill, S. 14. I will do that and then I will yield the floor. It won't take me very long. I am grateful that so broad a coalition of interest groups has been willing to send letters supporting the nuclear loan guarantee provisions in the Energy bill. I do not intend today to go into detail analyzing the relevance and significance of these loan guarantees and what I see as the fallacious nature of the arguments against them but merely to state the broad support at this point for the proposal. No one is surprised that provisions in this bill are strongly supported by the utilities and groups such as the Nuclear Energy Institute, but today on my desk I found letters from unions, academics, and broad groups from industry. To some extent, that was a surprise. I greatly appreciate their support and want to spend a few moments going over their reasons for supporting this measure, which I consider to be so important for our country. One is a letter from John Duetch. I don't think I have to explain to the Senate who John Deutch is. In terms of physics, energy, and nuclear energy matters, he is a ranking expert. He is perhaps the James Schlesinger of the Democratic Party. His letter is accompanied by a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, well known in academic circles, named Ernie Munis. For those who are not familiar, he served as the head of the nuclear part of the Department of Energy during the Democratic administrations preceding the Republicans during the last 12 years. Munis joins Dr. Deutch and they concurrently chair an MIT-sponsored study on the future of nuclear power. I note the presence of the junior Senator from New Mexico and minority manager. All I have done so far is talk about some support, and the letter I am alluding to he is aware of. I met with Drs. Deutch and Munis last week and asked for their views on the nuclear loan guarantee provisions in the bill. Their letter reads: We believe such assistance is important and justified, and that action taken now will influence future investment decisions on nuclear power generation. In fact, they propose what some would consider to be an even more direct subsidy for new nuclear powerplants. Their letter explains: The mechanism [they] propose for this assistance is a production tax credit of 1.7 cents per kilowatt hour up to a total of $200 million per 1000 megawatt plant. We did not do that in the bill. We had contemplated it at various times during the evolution of the legislation and thought for different reasons that the loan guarantee might be preferable. We now have a letter that says either of the two would be good, and for the first time two very powerful people say both would be good for our country. I received letters today from the AFL-CIO, and I am most grateful for their support because I know it is not always easy for groups to support matters that pertain to nuclear power. I believe, as we have been saying for a number of days, nuclear power has arrived. The question is, How will it come on the scene so that America and the world can find out, once again, what it is all about. I do know without a doubt that if a bill is going to be good for the American economy by creating jobs at home, the AFL-CIO will back it. I am grateful they are doing so today. One of the letters from the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO says: The fifteen unions comprising the Building and Construction Department consider nuclear power an integral, emission-free component in a broad array of national energy choices. And, not unlike the current state of Federal transportation and water systems, our domestic energy infrastructure is in need of a serious upgrade and American workers are in dire need of the jobs created. The construction of these new plants will create significant employment opportunities for our highly skilled members. The construction of just one new nuclear power plant would stimulate the economy by creating between 2,000 and 3,000 family wage construction jobs. And, maintaining and operating that plant would create an additional 1,000-1,500 permanent, full-time, high paying jobs. The other letter I received was from the Metal Trades Department. It reads in part: On behalf of the AFL-CIO Metal Trade Department, I urge you to support provisions in the pending energy policy legislation that would enable the construction of new nuclear power plants in the U.S. America's power demands are growing exponentially. A rational and effective energy policy depends upon a diverse mix of fuels and technologies, including nuclear fuel. The health of the nation's economy will require the construction of new nuclear facilities to ensure adequate power resources. Loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants are a critical element of the energy legislation. We urge you to support them. Letters will be forthcoming and will be circulated to Senators. I could not have said it better myself had I been preparing a speech. Rather than the numerous ad lib comments I made heretofore, I could not have said better what has been said by those who write in behalf of the working men and women who need good jobs and who have great skills that can put together these needed facilities. The Chamber of Commerce sent one of its key vote alerts about the Wyden-Sununu amendment. The Chamber is straightforward: Our Nation's economic vitality and energy security rely upon the ability to utilize a diverse array of fuels and technology to generate electricity. Nuclear energy plays a vital role in assuring this diversity, producing some twenty percent of the country's electricity. Resources for research and development of energy sources ranging from clean coal and geothermal to wind and even fusion are provided by S. 14. To eliminate support for any of these sources would be near- sighted and risk energy stability in the years to come, perhaps leading to devastating economic effects. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce urges you to vote against the Wyden-Sununu amendment to S. 14. Mr. President, the National Electro-Industry Manufacturing Association issued a press release today that certainly sums up my position and, hopefully, the position of many in the Senate. In the press release they say: The reliability and security of our nation's energy supply requires us to have a diverse energy portfolio, including nuclear power. Votes against incentives, particularly loan guarantees, are a vote against reliable, low cost, stable, and environmentally friendly energy supplies. It is also a vote against jobs and a stronger economy. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. DOMENICI. I thank the Senator for yielding. First, please excuse my voice. I have somewhat of a cold. I say to the occupant of the chair, it will be in good form tomorrow. Do not worry. Having said that, I compliment the Senator from Idaho on the wonderful explanation he has given today on the future of hydrogen in the American economy. I also thank Senator Dorgan. Not only this year but before, he has been a strong proponent of moving ahead as rapidly as we can with the hydrogen alternative, the fuel cell, and ultimately an automobile in our future. Today, Senator Dorgan offered an amendment which will now line itself up with a couple of others and perhaps be the third amendment voted on tomorrow. For that, I thank him because he brought an amendment to the floor which means we are moving. I ask the Senator a question: The hydrogen car which I rode around in, as did the Senator, does the Senator remember how much they told us it cost?

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to proceed as in morning business starting in 5 minutes and not to exceed 10 minutes.

Mr. DOMENICI. I yield the floor. Now, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 5 minutes I asked to transpire before the time started be waived and that I be able to proceed with my 7 minutes.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I understand, from my parliamentary inquiry, that at 5:15 the Senate resumes executive calendar debate.

Mr. DOMENICI. I do not say that to in any way belittle anybody, but the point of it is, they wanted to show us what it would look like, what the storage capacity or needs on the rear of this vehicle might be, which meant somebody would have some idea how to refuel it later on, and to put all of that together they spent 6 million-plus dollars. The point of it is, S. 14, which I am very proud of, is an effort to produce a myriad of energies for America so that there will be a choice. It also says when it comes to hydrogen, let's pursue it with vigor. Let's get on with the research. Let's get the fuel cells moving ahead as rapidly as possible. And, yes, for the first time we had a President say go ahead and authorize a lot of money, $1.6 billion, to enter into partnership arrangements with the automobile manufacturers to see if our science and their technology could get married up with their money and taxpayers' money to pursue this with some degree of vigor. I do not think I am trying to make a mountain out of a molehill in terms of the issue, but to now say, in the midst of all of this, to prove we are serious about this let's go ahead and mandate a purchase of these automobiles by a date certain it seems to me to be a bit premature. I do not think we need it to prove our worth, to prove our valor, to prove that we really want to move ahead with vigor. Quite to the contrary, I think it might indicate that we really are a little bit ahead of ourselves. So when the time comes tomorrow, after discussing it with Senators such as Senator Craig, the Senator from New Mexico will decide whether we will have just a straight yes or no vote or whether we should ask the Senate to table what we consider to be a rather inappropriate amendment because it is too early. As far as I know, there is no other business today. We are waiting around for the Dorgan amendment to get itself lined up with two amendments that are scheduled for tomorrow. There is still some significant debate on the motion to strike that concerns itself with nuclear power and on the so-called authority to the Indian tribes for the development of their energy. There are two amendments. One is Senator Campbell's amendment, and one is Senator Bingaman's amendment. One is a first degree, and a second degree. Those will be debated, and then sometime tomorrow, hopefully, we can prove to the Senate that we are moving ahead with three votes.

Mr. DOMENICI. I am going to say now to other Senators who may have amendments, whatever they may be, the majority leader has been pretty fair with us. I am not so sure we have been quite that fair with him in that we have not produced enough amendments, although we are getting there now. We are starting to get a few of the hot button items, and maybe after tomorrow we might be at a point where others will come forth. I am asking now that Senators and their staffs, who consider themselves to have amendment potential on this bill, they should start to get ready. I am aware there are Senators who have amendments. We know the title of their amendments, but the amendments are not ready yet. That is 2 weeks now, not solid but more or less we have had 2 weeks. So we ask now that Senators reconsider getting on with this so they can be helpful as we move ahead, and then with the minority soon we will begin to ask for some times. Maybe by tomorrow we can start asking for a time certain for the production of relevant amendments. That would be my hope, I say to my friend Senator Craig and the occupant of the chair, the distinguished Senator, Mr. Sununu. I yield the floor.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, we have reviewed the amendment. We have no objection to the studies provided for in the amendment. We think they will be worthwhile and helpful, so we have no objection.

Mr. DOMENICI. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask Senator Bingaman, have you finished with that issue?

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to be permitted to proceed as in morning business for no longer than 7 minutes.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. I ask unanimous consent that we be in morning business until we go into executive session.

Mr. DOMENICI. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, in the United States, especially when you live in the eastern United States, you take water and the availability of water for granted. Probably the only thing that is ever thought about is: Do we have a big enough reservoir? Or are those aqueducts getting too old that feed New York and northeastern America? But I am here to suggest there are parts of these great United States where there is a huge shortage of the kind of water we need day by day for our daily activities: to drink, to use for our families, and for the everyday use of our people. First, I show you a little chart with blue and white areas on it. All of the blue areas on this chart of the United States, believe it or not, are areas in these United States where saline--that is, salty-- aquifers exist; that is, salty water either in large ponds or underground in large pools. So while we are running out of water, at the same time we have been blessed in that we have plenty of water available if we do something about it. And I propose that we do something about it. I have a bill that I hope will do something about it. This second chart shows what would be a proposed Tularosa Basin desalination facility. I show it because this is not a new concept. As a matter of fact, this Tularosa Basin is a huge underground water basin in New Mexico. Much of it is very salty, large quantities are not so salty, and then large quantities are of minor salt content. The legislation I am introducing is to try to make a leap of technology for it directs the Secretary of the Interior to undertake at this program, for lack of a better way to do it, what we call a demonstration program, but it would be one that would be easily adopted anywhere. We ask that it have a capability of 100,000 gallons so that the research would not be carried out at an academic level but really usable. The Secretary is supposed to work with the greatest laboratories in the Nation that have access in this regard to develop new desalination technology and a plan. The facility should be completed within 3 years. The water from this facility will be disposed of to communities in and around this basin and in and around the county of Otero. We authorize the money necessary for it. I have a detailed statement indicating why we are doing this along with the bill and an extra bill which goes to the desk, one for reference and one for retention. I am quite confident that a new method of desalination beyond that one that we all hear about is going to be forthcoming. I believe one of the laboratories--probably Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, but not certain, but probably--will make the breakthrough so that we will not be using the old system that we might have been trying for as long now as the occupant of the chair is of age. I even remember that system being used when I first came to the Senate. We were experimenting with it in the city of Roswell under a Government program, and we stopped the program because it was too farfetched. We have come a long way. Just as we have serious problems cleaning water of other pollutants, and we have old-fashioned ways of doing it, very modern technology is being applied. As an example, we all know there is a big problem in some parts of America where arsenic which is found in the normal topography, normal ground of the surrounding area and has been consumed by whoever lived there for years with no harm--we are going to have to remove it now to some very minuscule content per thousand gallons. In order to do that the old-fashioned way, the costs are enormous. But believe it or not, because of science, we might be able to do that job--albeit some of it should not have to be done at all--for a tenth of the cost. We are hopeful that same new breed of technology will apply to taking salt out of inland water or ocean water. Mr. President, as I say, I rise today to introduce a bill that has the potential to supply vast quantities of water to a thirsty New Mexico and a number of Western States. New Mexico and the West face a critical lack of water, but through the program contained in my bill, the faucets could be ready to flow. Most Western States already have large quantities of water. However, the water contains such high levels of salt that it is simply unusable. My bill proposes to turn untapped resource into potable water that cities, towns, farmers, industry, and nature can use to meet their needs. This bill provides the opportunity for use to utilize brand new technology that may save the West. This piece of legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to undertake a desalination demonstration program in the Tularosa Basin located in southern New Mexico. Additionally, it requires collaboration between the Bureau of Reclamation, an established leader in desalination research and development, and the Department of Energy. Our national laboratories are at the forefront of science in many areas including water technology. The collaboration between these two departments would bring together the best minds and the most experienced technicians. This bill would further task the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Energy with evaluating current technology, advising on how to proceed with additional research, developing a research plan and confirming project and operation costs in a real-world application. Finally, the bill authorizes the building of a facility where advances in technology could be tested. The bill authorizes appropriations of $1.5 million for development of a desalination technology plan which will utilize the experiences of present facilities and programs to build the facility and guide its research. It further authorizes $30 million to construct the desalination facility, $6 million for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2010 for research programs at Sandia National Lab associated with the facility, and $10 million for each of the fiscal years 2004 through 2010 for research and development of desalination technologies. Only 3 percent of the world's water is fresh and much of that is stored in the ice that caps the Earth's poles. We must develop the technology to economically utilize the rest of that water. Today, most of the world's desalination plants are applied to sea water. As I states before, much of the west and, indeed, the Nation, sits on saline aquifers. The facility I propose will develop and test the technologies to best access and utilize this inland water. Currently, Sandia National Lab and the Department of the Interior are looking for optimum sites to locate the facility and are developing a feasibility study for the program. The sites are all in or around the city of Alamogordo, NM. The designers envision a 13,000 square foot facility that can process up to 100,000 gallons of water per day. It will draw researchers from around the country and play an essential role in alleviating the pressures on our water resources. Mr. President, let me also say that I have a broader vision for what can be accomplished with desalination. This is only the first step. This is a serious issue, not only for New Mexico, but the world. More than half the world's population will face severe water shortages in the next 50 years. We must get started on this problem. I have no doubt that this legislation will help to push forward the state of the art to ensure that we have access to the most precious of resources. Let's take the first step. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. We have no objection to setting it aside.

Mr. DOMENICI. At this point it looks as if we are not going to vote on anything until about 3, and the Boxer amendment would be second or third in line.

Mr. DOMENICI. Unless the Senator wants to seek that consent at this point, there is no such arrangement.

Mr. DOMENICI. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, with the consent of the minority, I make the following unanimous consent request. I ask unanimous consent that-- I withhold until the minority whip is present, Mr. President. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.