Working for a Bipartisan Breakthrough on Energy Legislation in the House
By Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
August 8, 2008

Talking to South Dakotans in my travels across the state this week, the first thing on their minds is undoubtedly the high price of gas. More frustrating for them than the price at the pump, however, is the partisan bickering and political finger-pointing surrounding the issue that does nothing to help hard-working South Dakotans make ends meet. It’s disappointing that when it comes to cutting energy costs in the near term while enhancing our energy security in the long-term, the search for real solutions has taken a back seat to election-year politics.

To be sure, I’m just as discouraged that some of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are using the hardships our current energy crisis is forcing upon Americans to score political points- and I’m not alone. Frustrated with the lack of progress, I’ve been supporting the efforts of the bipartisan House Energy Working Energy Group to draft a comprehensive energy package that moves beyond the familiar political arguments that have been preventing progress on meaningful energy legislation.

In late July, the efforts of this politically and geographically diverse coalition culminated with the introduction of H.R. 6709, “The National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act.” I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill, which represents a bipartisan breakthrough and features a range of short- and long-term provisions to enhance America’s energy security. Importantly, the bill includes compromise agreements on longstanding, controversial sticking points such as increased domestic production in the Outer Continental Shelf and key tax incentives for renewable energy.

To increase the available domestic supply of oil, H.R. 6709 mandates the release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bring down the price of oil in the short term. Additionally, it opens the Outer Continental Shelf 25 miles or more from the coastline to “Over the Horizon” oil and natural gas production for domestic use only.

In addition to measures intended to increase oil and natural gas supplies, the bill encourages the development of renewable sources of energy and takes steps to readjust our nation’s priorities with regard to our energy economy. Specifically, H.R. 6709 extends tax incentives for renewable energy production from wind, solar and geothermal and other sources—including a five-year extension of the Production Tax Credit for wind—and creates a new incentive for plug-in hybrid vehicles. It also provides the first stable, designated funding source for the development of alternative fuels, renewable energy and environmental restoration by allocating in various amounts the estimated $2.6 trillion in royalties from oil and gas to the U.S. Treasury, the adjacent State, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and various energy conservation reserve funds created in the bill.

Finally, the bill includes language to count woody biomass derived from federal lands towards the Renewable Fuels Standard. This language is similar to that in a bill I introduced earlier this year, H.R. 5236, “The Renewable Biomass Facilitation Act.” A provision in the energy legislation passed last December, which virtually prohibited the inclusion of woody biomass from federal lands as part of the Renewable Fuels Standard, was a serious mistake, and I’ve been working to change it ever since.

When first introduced by Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) and Rep. John Peterson (R-PA), “The National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act,” had 48 original co-sponsors, 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans. Since its introduction, that number has increased to 119 Members of Congress who come from every corner of the country and bring a wide range of political ideologies to the table. Even though this legislation doesn’t give everyone everything they want, it’s something both sides can accept. It includes a wide variety of provisions that address the need to increase supply, develop renewable sources of energy and prioritize conservation, and I’m encouraged that it was able to garner widespread support in such short order.

When it comes to bringing down prices at the pump and enhancing our energy security, Americans deserve more from their leaders than partisan fighting and political stunts. We need to break away from these same old battles fought along the same old party lines, and look for common ground. This comprehensive energy package has support and input from members on both sides of the aisle, and represents a true compromise. I’m optimistic that when my colleagues return after spending time talking to constituents in their district about the need for less talk and more action from Washington like I’ve heard from folks across South Dakota, they will be eager to move this package forward.