Copyright 2000 Federal News Service, Inc.
Federal News Service
October 19, 2000, Thursday
SECTION: PREPARED TESTIMONY
LENGTH: 374 words
HEADLINE:
PREPARED STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN TOM BLILEY
BEFORE THE
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND POWER
STATEMENT - STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE
BODY:
Chairman Tom Bliley (R-VA) is scheduled to
make the following remarks at today's Energy and Power Subcommittee hearing on
"The Strategic Petroleum Reserve: A Closer Look at the Drawdown:"
"I'd
like to commend you for holding this hearing on the Department of Energy' s
Drawdown of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Over the past year, energy issues
have been very much in the news. The Committee on Commerce takes very seriously
rising prices for crude oil, heating oil, gasoline, and natural
gas. "Members of this Committee wish to prevent a home heating
oil crisis this winter. When DOE announced the release of 30 million barrels of
oil from the Reserve, this Committee was especially interested in the impact
this would have for consumers.
"One thing is for sure. This
unprecedented action so close in time to the Presidential election is troubling.
"I have always been of the view that Congress and the Administration need to be
working together on energy policies. Our objective is to look out for consumers,
to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, and to increase our energy
independence. We need to craft environmentally sound policies that will
stimulate, not hinder our energy security.
"The petroleum reserve is a
valuable strategic asset that belongs to the American people. The Reserve was
built and filled to protect against severe energy supply disruption. Most
importantly, we should not engage in short-term election year gimmickry with the
Reserve. If this is the case, it is wrong to trifle with the Reserve in this
manner.
"I believe it is important to look at the Release or Exchange of
30 million barrels of oil. This Administration claims that they released the oil
to help consumers make it through the winter. Will this program actually help
consumers who use home heating oil? Or will home heating oil made from oil
released from the Reserve be exported outside of the United States?
"I
am also concerned about how DOE is administering the contracts for oil and
whether the American public is getting value for this use of the Reserve.
"Today I hope to learn the answers to these and many other questions. I
look forward to hearing from today's distinguished panel of witnesses. Thank
you."
END
LOAD-DATE: October 21, 2000
