November 7, 1979
Page 31233
UP AMENDMENT NO. 733
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I am pleased to be able to support the amendments offered by Senators JOHNSTON and DOMENICI to the Energy Committee bill.
These modifications accommodate the major concerns I have expressed about the bill as reported from committee.
Specifically, I support the adoption of a distinct two phase approach. This will be accomplished by the committee's requirement that the comprehensive plan be submitted in 5 years, not 3, and that even then, the plan would be submitted only if the required economic, environmental and technical information has been obtained.
Also, I support the requirement that both Houses of Congress approve the comprehensive plan prior to its adoption. As was witnessed today on the floor of the Senate, substantive debate is fundamental to the development of sound energy policy.
Finally, I am supportive of the Energy Committee's clarification of the authorization level for synthetic fuels, I quite agree with the comments made by the distinguished Senator from New Mexico, with whom I have the privilege to work on the Budget Committee, that an obligational ceiling of $20 billion be established for phase 1. I also agree that the Congress has the right to approve not only the comprehensive plan, but the appropriate level of funding for phase 2, if there is to be one supported by Federal dollars.
Mr. President, while I was supportive of the Banking Committee's substitute, I am pleased to say that with the incorporation of these perfecting amendments, I will support the Senate Energy Committee. Their bill now contains the flexibility we must preserve in dealing with unproven technologies with unknown environmental impacts and high price tags.
To reiterate the comments I made earlier today, we can debate the issue of synthetic fuels no longer. Now is the time to act, the time to commit the resources required to lessen our dependency on imported oil.
Mr. President, I intend to support the amendment of Senators JOHNSTON and DOMENICI.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question is on agreeing to the amendment of the Senators from New Mexico and Louisiana.
Mr. JOHNSTON. I move that matter at this time.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the amendment.
The amendment (UP No. 733), was agreed to.
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote by which the amendment was agreed to.
Mr. JOHNSTON. I move to lay that motion on the table.
The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.