Henry Waxman

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, I'm pleased at this time to yield to a real leader from the State of Iowa who has taken an active role in this and so many other policy areas, Mr. Braley, for 1 minute.

Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, at this time, I want to yield to the distinguished sole representative from the State of Vermont, a man we are very pleased to have on our committee and who has been a leader in some of the areas on this bill. He reminds us that efficiency is the way to go to use less fuel. I yield 1 minute to Mr. Welch.

Mr. WAXMAN. If the gentleman would yield to me, when our time expires for both committees. Perhaps we ought to let you take additional time at this point, because we have used far more than you have.

Mr. WAXMAN. If the gentleman would yield, perhaps we can inquire of the Chair how much time is still available to the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. WAXMAN. Why don't we discuss that informally?

Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, I wish to yield to the gentleman from Michigan and chairman emeritus of our committee (Mr. Dingell) so he and I could engage in a colloquy. (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WAXMAN. I agree we must be sensitive to the State and Federal roles, but we must also move forward on transmission policy. My goal here is to take the first step.

Mr. WAXMAN. Yes, that is my preference. However, there is more consensus about how to move forward in the western interconnect than there is in the eastern interconnect, and we should make the progress we can in the west. I will continue to work towards a policy that is comprehensive and effective.

Mr. WAXMAN. This proposal leaves in place the current environmental protection in the eastern interconnection. The changes in the west account for the very sensitive nature of the lands there, including Federal lands.

Mr. WAXMAN. Well, we need a policy that is clear and can be implemented. This is only a partial step forward, as I have said, and I look forward to having your help in adopting a workable policy.

Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) for the purpose of a colloquy.

Mr. WAXMAN. You and others have expressed concern about this issue. This matter will be determined by the work of the Financial Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. We have a placeholder in the bill. Once they agree on the issue that is within their jurisdiction, it will be placed in the bill. I want to point out that you have a unique role in that because you are on both committees and have a special interest on this question. So I look forward to seeing your work on that matter.

Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) for the purposes of a colloquy.

Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WAXMAN. At this point I'd like to yield 1 minute for the purpose of a colloquy to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Grayson).

Mr. WAXMAN. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. WAXMAN. I share the gentleman's concern about the need for research on hurricane intensity and frequency and effects. The harm from hurricanes is only going to increase with global warming, and we need to better understand the connections and impacts. H.R. 2454 includes domestic adaptation provisions giving States substantial resources to study and adapt to climate change. Based on our estimates, the bill will provide up to $1 billion per year from 2012, when the program starts, through 2021. From 2022 through 2026, the amount will be over $2 billion annually. Research on hurricanes is explicitly listed as an authorized use of these revenues. The project the gentleman mentions is among the type of activity that would be eligible to received funding under these provisions.

Mr. WAXMAN. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. WAXMAN. The gentleman has discussed this project with me, and I think it's a very worthwhile project. I look forward to working on it and making it a priority as the legislative process moves on.

Mr. WAXMAN. I'm pleased at this time to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Halvorson).

Mr. WAXMAN. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. WAXMAN. The gentlewoman is correct that the provisions of section 795 and 740 are intended to fairly compensate farmers and their partners who have enrolled in voluntary programs and have taken early action to reduce carbon pollution. All existing voluntary offset programs with strong standards for environmental integrity would meet the requirements of section 740. We expect that offset credits registered with the Chicago Climate Exchange, along with the credits from other recognized voluntary programs, will provide an important source of offset credits in the early years of the program.

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased at this time to yield 1 minute for the purpose of a colloquy to the distinguished chairman of the Agriculture Committee, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson).

Mr. WAXMAN. I'd be pleased to do so.

Mr. WAXMAN. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.