Ralph Regula

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend both of these Members from New Mexico for their concern. This is a serious problem, and we want to do as much as we can to address it in the bill. We did put in $15 million in emergency firefighting money, and recognize that this could be a continuing problem. We are prepared to accept the amendment to the amendment.

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. REGULA. The $10 million would be to have the Energy Department go into the market and buy the $10 million worth of oil and put it into storage; is this the objective of the amendment?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my point of order that a quorum is not present. So the amendment was rejected. Amendment No. 28 Offered by Mr. Sanders

Mr. REGULA. I yield to the gentleman from Vermont.

Mr. REGULA. Is this a tank farm?

Mr. REGULA. Am I correct, then, that these facilities are essentially empty now, so they would be available to receive oil?

Mr. REGULA. And is that the full capacity of this, what is it, a tank farm?

Mr. REGULA. I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I hope we can find a long-term solution. Because I have been through a couple of these in my time in Congress, and we tend to go back and forget all about it whenever the price goes down. I hope all of my colleagues will join me and others in having a long- term energy strategy because we are an energy-dependent Nation; and if we fail to do that, we will be back with this same old problem at some future time.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I think I am reluctant to take $10 million out of SPR because we need the money to operate it unless they can get the $10 million somewhere else that will not impact on the ability to manage SPR oil, because that too is an emergency source for the entire country, I would resist the amendment. I think if they could develop another source of financing, since apparently the facility is up and running. Do I understand it correctly, that it can handle the 2 million barrels?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I am sure the people in Ohio would like it because gasoline has now spiked at $2 a gallon.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I want to work with the gentleman with SPR. But I just think we need to have a coordinated plan as we do this. And I think what we are talking about here is temporary. Let us get a long- term energy policy. Let us determine if not only how to address problems with home heating oil but diesel fuel, because our industry is so dependent on that.

Mr. REGULA. Will the gentleman describe the New York facility? I am a little confused. What is the capacity of this facility in New York Harbor in total barrels? He is talking about buying 2 million barrels and putting it in a reserve. But is that the maximum capacity, or is that just part of it?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will respond, I think it is important we get these facts out. What is the daily consumption in a normal winter period of home heating oil in New England, the six States that comprise New England?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, what I am getting at is this. Is 2 million barrels going to solve the problem?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I continue to yield to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders).

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, well, given that as a solution, why have we not, then, threatened to use SPR oil this time?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, has the gentleman talked to the President? He can do it by his own action.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I ask the gentleman, is it empty now?

Mr. REGULA. Two million barrels? Is that what New York Harbor has is 2 million barrels?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, so that facility in New York Harbor is not being used to its fullest capacity?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, if the oil is there, if it is already in place, why are they not using it?