Energy

ENERGY -- (House of Representatives - July 23, 2008)

(Mr. BURGESS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, this is energy morning here on the House floor, and I'm no different from anyone else.

We're hearing a lot this morning about opening the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Well, if we're willing to say supply matters--and I'll agree with that, yes, supply does matter--opening the Strategic Petroleum Reserve only make sense if it's part of a comprehensive plan, and yes, this is an emergency. This is an emergency that requires all hands on deck.

Supply is critical. Access to new supply in the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico is critical, as are alternative sources of energy, as are conservation measures.

Today, this morning, I'm asking the majority party to work with us and help the people who are impacted most by the rising energy prices, the people who can least afford it. That includes the vulnerable, the elderly, the impoverished.

It's time to stop pandering to wealthy environmentalists and start addressing the problems caused by impeding domestic production of energy. Stop protesting the siting of transmission lines for wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Allow the rigs and pipelines to function, and allow the American workforce and American ingenuity to go to work and get this done for America.

Please stop the restrictions for responsible exploration for our natural resources like coal, natural gas, and crude oil. End the heavy-handed restrictions on energy exploration.

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