Nick Rahall

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. We're prepared to wrap up, Mr. Speaker. I object.

Mr. RAHALL. Yes.

Mr. RAHALL. Reclaiming my time. And under lease. And if they are in that process, that is called due diligence. We don't penalize them. We don't take it away at all. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Texas, Sheila Jackson-Lee. (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of our freshmen Democratic members and in concert with the Democratic leadership, I am pleased to bring to the floor today the Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands Act, the DRILL bill. Let there be no mistake about it. As Democrats, we are pro drilling. I repeat that for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. We are pro drilling. We are for drilling now. And we are for drilling in areas that bring near-term relief to the American public. As others put forth bumper-sticker energy policies, today, House Democrats are bringing forth prudent legislation aimed at unleashing the vast potential of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, this section to the far right on the map behind me. That is to be distinguished very clearly and separately from the ANWR, over on my far left. Where better to drill than in the National Petroleum Reserve? That is what it's for. The National Petroleum Reserve. That is why it was set aside. The National Petroleum Reserve. Now, my colleagues, the National Petroleum Reserve, situated on the North Slope of Alaska--this reserve is no pipe dream like ANWR way over here, which is a bumper sticker approach to our energy woes--the National Petroleum Reserve is open for leasing. It has been. It will be. Twenty-three million acres. The National Petroleum Reserve is open for leasing, open for business, now, today, 23 million acres containing an estimated 6.6 billion barrels of recoverable oil. There is more than over here in ANWR, which is not even open for leasing at this point in time. It is a pipe dream over here in ANWR. Far more than ANWR, the National Petroleum Reserve, as I said, has much more recoverable oil than ANWR. And if ANWR were fully open, we still would be 20 years before we could have any oil in production. The Energy Information estimates show that the only effect on the price at the pump would be 1.8 cents 20 years from now. As opposed to that, we have the National Petroleum Reserve set aside for drilling. In Alaska, 35 trillion cubic feet of natural gas has been stranded. Think about that: 35 trillion cubic feet of natural gas stranded over in the National Petroleum Reserve because there is no pipeline available to bring it to market over here being the major pipeline. For oil only, I might add. Elsewhere, there are 68 million acres of land onshore and offshore in the Outer Continental Shelf in the lower 48 under oil and gas leases that are not producing. They may be subject to speculation. They may be purely being warehoused. We don't know. I say here today, drill. Drill. Drill. Drill here in America. Drill now. Let's drill. The DRILL Act, Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands Act, would unleash the vast potential of the National Petroleum Reserve by requiring annual Federal oil and gas lease sales and by facilitating the construction of pipelines to connect the NPR-A with the existing central North Slope arteries that will bring it on down to the American consumers in the lower 48. That includes Prudhoe Bay, connecting it over here to Prudhoe Bay, the transportation infrastructure and trans- Alaska Pipeline that comes down here, we do need still a gas pipeline. There is, of course, already existing an oil pipeline. But it makes as a matter of Presidential priority, the DRILL Act makes the construction of the Alaska natural gas pipeline a priority so that stranded gas, that stranded gas in the National Petroleum Reserve, can be transported to the lower 48. It requires project labor agreements be entered into for construction of these pipelines so they would be good-paying American jobs. It requires that the trans-Alaska Pipeline, the NPR pipeline that connects, that is right here, a 5-mile segment connecting NPR over to the existing oil and gas leasing being done in the Prudhoe Bay area, that they be maintained and operated in an efficient manner to ensure an uninterrupted flow of oil and natural gas. And the DRILL Act reinstitutes the ban of the exportation of Alaskan oil to other countries so that this Alaskan oil, American oil, can be used by Americans for their relief. It is a commonsense approach to our near-term energy woes. We know very clearly we must transition ourselves from oil dependency. We must wean ourselves from oil addiction. Alternative fuels, coal-to-liquids, carbon sequestration, other noncorn-based alternatives, renewables, all of the above should be on the table. It is the only way to secure America's energy independence from foreign crude. But in the near term, we need to drill. We are saying in this bill today drill, drill, drill. Drill it now. Drill it here. Drill it where the oil is and where it is already available, not wait 20 years from now, as the President proposes to lift some moratorium on the OCS and up here in the ANWR that, as I have already said, won't affect any near-term relief at the pump for American consumers. Let me observe that there are those who display a fundamental misunderstanding of parts of this legislation. We do of course incorporate the use it or lose it that has already been passed by a majority in this body which requires the diligent development of Federal oil and gas leases during their primary term, which is normally 10 years. What that means is during that period, we are requesting that the oil companies do something with these leases to explore for energy. If a discovery is made, and we hope that it will be, apply for the permit. Now, I understand drilling. I think most of my colleagues know I am from the State of West Virginia, by golly, the great State of West Virginia. We know something about energy woes in that State. We are not a NIMBY State by any stretch of the imagination. We do not shirk from our responsibility to contribute to the Nation's need for energy. We have mining. We have drilling. I understand that complications can take place while trying to develop a lease, environmental challenges, bureaucratic delays, but this constitutes due diligence. This constitutes the development of a lease. This constitutes moving toward meeting our energy woes. Diligent development does not mean the lease is producing, I understand that. It means that a company is doing something with the lease to determine whether it can be brought into production or not. That is a good thing. That is diligent development. I understand it is a lengthy process, but I am saying to Mr. Big Oil, please do something on these leases. Do something. If you have to go out and buy a Black & Decker drill to drill it to move forward, do that. Vote for this legislation. A vote for this legislation will mean that we are trying to bring energy immediately to the American people, that we are voting for American good-paying jobs, and that we are voting to prevent American energy from being exported to foreign markets. As I conclude, I say, drill, drill, drill. Drill here. Drill now. Drill so we can meet our energy supply-side demands here with American resources. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL. I am shocked that the gentleman would even start down the road of campaign contributions in this debate, but I am not going to proceed any further down that road. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Hall) who has been very active on this issue and very involved in our debate we had the other night.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to respond to the gentleman from New Mexico. If he was listening to my opening statement and my earlier comments on this issue, I fully understand it's a lengthy process. The regulatory framework was put into place in this and many other laws of this land for a very specific reason, to protect the public health and safety and the environment. It's a lengthy process to go through this leasing. I must tell the gentleman, and he knows it, once you obtain that lease you have overcome most of the hard obstacle of achieving production. The lands we are talking about are mostly lands already under lease. Therefore, a lot of that burden has already been overcome.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that time for debate on the pending measure be expanded to 60 minutes.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, to conclude our debate on this side, and in order to promote the passage of this DRILL Act, which will bring American energy to American consumers in a responsible way, I yield 1 minute to our distinguished Speaker of the House, the gentlelady from California, Nancy Pelosi.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I am very honored and proud to yield at this time 1 minute to our superb majority leader, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6515) to amend the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an expeditious environmentally responsible program of competitive leasing of oil and gas in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, and for other purposes.

Mr. RAHALL. I yield the gentleman 30 more seconds.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Chairman, I rise as the chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, which reported the pending legislation sponsored by the gentleman from Massachusetts, Chairman Barney Frank, in support of this measure. The 106th Congress authorized a study of the river to determine whether it is eligible for such designation. The National Park Service released a report in June of last year, finding that the river is eligible and identifying designation of the entire 40-mile segment as the environmentally preferred alternative. H.R. 415 implements the study's findings by amending the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to add the Taunton River. Some apparently feel that, in their opinion, the lower portion of the Taunton River is not deserving of designation. I would first point out that the bill designates this portion of the river as a recreational river--not as a wild or scenic river. This is a designation intended for river segments just like the lower Taunton. More important, the experts at the National Park Service, the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation, and the 10 local communities along the banks, all think the river does qualify for designation and, with all due respect, their opinions are more informed. Opponents of this river designation have attempted to Iink this legislation to the apparent demise of a liquefied natural gas facility that had once been proposed along the banks of the Taunton. Approval for the LNG facility was denied--twice--by the United States Coast Guard for reasons having nothing to do with the wild and scenic designation. In fact, the designation was proposed long before the LNG facility was announced. This is a good piece of legislation, the river is worthy of designation, and I urge the adoption of this measure.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding. I certainly want to commend him as well as our full committee chairman, Mr. Oberstar from Minnesota, for their invaluable work over the years that I have been in this body on the Appalachian Regional Commission. Their full committee chairman, Mr. Oberstar, is strongly in support of the Appalachian Regional Commission. He has been to our State of West Virginia and seen how important it is. And this bill certainly would not only extend the work of the Appalachian Regional Commission, but it would enhance that work. Throughout my career as a Member of this body, I have supported the work of ARC. West Virginia is the only State that has its entire borders within the jurisdiction of the Appalachian Regional Commission. We have seen firsthand how it has enabled struggling communities throughout West Virginia and the Appalachian region to provide economic opportunity and a renewed sense of hope to our citizens. I would like to point out specific provisions in this bill aimed at increasing American-made energy for America. We have spent weeks on this floor hearing about the need to increase domestic energy supplies by becoming even more beholden to Big Oil. But we have at our fingertips the chance to help forge a better solution. We possess the technological know-how to convert coal to environmentally advanced transportation fuels and electric power. This bill recognizes that and provides for an infusion of investment to help make that happen. A provision in this legislation, for example, would enable the ARC to make grants, provide technical assistance, enter into contracts and otherwise provide for projects that would increase the use of renewable energy, particularly biomass, in the Appalachian Region to produce alternative transportation fuels. This is extremely important in helping make a commercial coal-to- liquids industry a reality in this country. The use of biomass with coal in the conversion process can sharply cut carbon emissions of coal-to-liquid fuels. A study provided by Princeton University found that by combining 30 percent biomass with coal in the conversion process and capturing and sequestering the carbon dioxide, CTL fuel can be made cleaner than other conventional liquid fuels in use today. A second provision in the bill would provide support for the development of conventional energy resources, such as coal, to provide electricity using advanced greenhouse gas reduction technologies. More plainly, it would help to advance projects which would capture and store carbon emissions, a necessity to our continued use of coal and other fossil fuels throughout the foreseeable future. In this age of increasing energy need and growing carbon awareness, it makes sense that such an initiative would find a home in Appalachia, a region in which much of the economy is intertwined with coal. The development of CTL and the success of carbon capture and storage is vital to the Nation's quest for greater energy independence. CTL fuels will assure us of a readily usable, environmentally advanced alternative to current high- cost transportation fuels.

Mr. RAHALL. And they are strategically beneficial to our Defense Department, which is vigorously pursuing the growth of a domestic alternative fuels industry to make the fuels it needs to keep America secure. So I conclude with proud support of this bill to get our Nation beyond our reliance on foreign fuels and to get our people out from under the heavy hand of Big Oil. Again, I commend the gentleman from Ohio for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. And our legislation would not take that lease away from them, and you're right about the 10 years.

Mr. RAHALL. I appreciate the gentleman from Georgia yielding. You've mentioned ANWR and how much is available from that pristine environmental area. And again, I'm going to quote from that infamous Energy Information Administration of which I've quoted earlier. First, this is a quote from President Bush June 9 of this year, ``I've proposed to Congress that they open up ANWR, open up the Continental Shelf and give this country a chance to help us through this difficult period by finding more supplies of crude oil which will take the pressure off the price of gasoline. That was the President's statement on June 9. And his own Energy Information Administration predicts that the savings from drilling in ANWR would equal 1.8 cents per gallon in the year 2025. And that, coupled with what I said earlier--I think you were here--about the fact that these areas that the President has lifted the moratorium on today would not produce any major savings or even produce any oil until 22 years from now, it is not going to give us the relief we need. And let's not kid ourselves. I think we all know in this body, both sides of this debate--or all sides of this debate I should say--that what we do in this body is not going to bring down the price tomorrow, next month, perhaps not next year. It takes not just increasing the supply side like you want to do, like we want to do in our ``use it or lose it'' legislation--that's a pro-drilling piece of legislation--but it has to be followed with follow-up efforts in developing all, renewable and alternative, fuels, which includes coal to liquid----

Mr. RAHALL. But were they under lease?

Mr. RAHALL. Would the gentleman yield?

Mr. RAHALL. Oh, you're saying they're moving toward production?

Mr. RAHALL. Well, I would respond to the gentleman that, again, as I've said, if they are moving toward production, that's due diligence.

Mr. RAHALL. Would the gentleman from Georgia not agree, however, that while all of that is I'm sure accurate, that is still on these 68 million acres of land, and that's still I'm not going to say light years but many, many years ahead of where we are on the lands made available today by lifting the moratorium?

Mr. RAHALL. Okay. I'm not clear on that whether they were.

Mr. RAHALL. Okay. Now, the 68 million already has gone through that process. The 68 million acres we keep referring to as use-it-or-lose- it, that has already gone through that process we both have described.