Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. Hou

The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 1420 to amend the independent energy act to promote Energy Efficiency via information and computing tech nollings and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois, mr. Rush and the gentleman from michigan, mr. Upton, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from illinois. Mr. Rush i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h. R. 1420. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois is recognized. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i want to thank my friends and colleagues on the energy and Commerce Committee, ms. Eshoo of the great state of california, mr. Kinzinger of my home state of illinois, for working in a bipartisan manner to bring h. R. 1420, the Energy Efficient Government Technology act, to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, the federal government is the largest single consumer of energy in our nation. As we continue to combat the climate crisis, mr. Speaker, we must use every tool at our disposal. This bill will help modernize the federal governments i. T. And data centers by requiring federal agencies to employ the latest technologies and Energy Management strategies. In doing so, mr. Speaker, the bill will reduce the governments energy use, thus saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Mr. Speaker, technological advances have allowed us to generate more data today than many thought possible just several years ago. This data, which often includes highly sensitive information, is stored in federal data centers that consume a significant amount of our Nations Energy. The Bipartisan Legislation offered by my colleagues will reduce the Energy Consumed by federal data centers by requiring the department of gy and the department of and the Environmental Protection agency to collaborate with stakeholders on efficiency programs and data centers at data centers all across our nation. Mr. Speaker, i commend my colleagues, ms. Eshoo and mr. Kinzinger, for their work on this bill and i encourage all of my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from michigan is recognized. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I would yield myself as much time as i might consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. I want to thank you, mr. Speaker, i want to thank my chairman, mr. Rush, the distinguished chairman of the Energy Subcommittee as well, mr. Pallone, mr. Walden. Upup as the use of digital mr. Upton as the use of dig nigget Digital Technology expands across the federal government and technology, theres a growing demand for energy to power our data centers which are at the very center of this digital economy. With this growing Energy Demand is in fact a growing need to identify areas to use energy more efficiently. Hmpt r. 1420, introduced bibi ms. Ushue and cosponsored by a number of energy and Commerce Committee members on both sides of the aisle, mr. Kinzinger, mr. Welch, mr. Tonko, updates an important provision of the energy and independent security act of independence security act of 2007 to increase Stakeholder Involvement to identify the best practices to improve the Energy Efficiency of data centers. It also updates provisions to better track federal programs to increase Energy Efficiency across the federal governments information technology. This is a practical update to an Important Program that no one should oppose. So i would urge my colleagues to support h. R. 1420 and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from michigan yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from illinois is recognized. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois yields back the balance of his time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 1420, as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative mr. Rush mr. Speaker. On that i ask for a recorded vote. The speaker pro tempore does the gentleman request the yeas and nays . Mr. Rush yes, i do. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this uestion will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from illinois seek recognition . Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 1768, as amended. The speaker pro tempore does the gentleman wish to call the bill as introduced . Mr. Rush yes. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 1768. A bill to reauthorize subtitle g of title 7 of the Energy Policy act of 2005 relating to diesel emissions reduction and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from illinois, mr. Rush, and the gentleman from michigan, mr. Upton, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from illinois, mr. Rush. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, im delighted to yield 2 1 2 minutes to my colleague from the great state of california, ms. Matsui. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Matsui thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of my bill, the diesel Emission Reduction act, otherwise known as dera. I urge my colleagues to support this critically important and Bipartisan Legislation. The mission of the e. P. A. Dera program is simple. Reduce air pollution, improve public health, and make our communities better places to live and raise a family. Thats why this commonsense program has continually garnered broad bipartisan support since it was first proposed. And the reason for that is equally simple. Dera gets results and saves taxpayer dollars in the long run. By replacing or retrofitting older and dirtier diesel engines, the program has made meaningful strides in boosting public health, reducing air pollution, and improving the quality of life in communities across the country. Over the last 10 years, the e. P. A. Has awarded over 600 million in funds and those dollars are making the difference. Over a 67,000 over 67,000 engines have been retrofitted or replaced. Weve saved nearly 20 billion in realized health costs. Weve prevented millions of tons of Carbon Monoxide and particulate matter from entering our air, and we have saved over 450 million gallons of fuel at the pump. Thats why we need to continue authorizing the dera program so that it can continue to do its great work for years to come. Id like to thank my friends and colleagues, congressman lowenthal from california, congressman long from missouri, and congressman wittman from virginia, for coleading this bill with me and for helping usher it to the floor. My duty to my constituents is to fight for cleaner air and cleaner communities. In fact, we all owe that to those we serve. So as we prepared a vote on the diesel Emission Reduction act, i ask my colleagues to support my bill and this critically important e. P. A. Program. Mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california yields back the balance of her time. The gentleman from illinois reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from michigan is recognized. Mr. Upton thank you, mr. Speaker. I would yield myself as much time as i might consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Upton thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this bill, h. R. 1768, the diesel emissions reduction act of 2019, is a bipartisan bill. It was introduced by my energy and commerce colleagues, ms. Matsui, who just spoke, and mr. Long, along with mr. Lowenthal and mr. Wittman. The bill simply but importantly reauthorizes the dera program through 2024. For this program was established by the Energy Policy act of 2005. It is a voluntary program, administered by the e. P. A. , that helps fund the retrofit or replacement of existing heavy duty diesel vehicles, engines and equipment, with cleaner diesel or new technology. Newer technology. According to the e. P. A. s data, nearly 10 million older diesel vehicles are operating throughout our transportation infrastructure with no modern emission controls. So this funding and rebates helps replace these vehicles with the equipment that meets our surpasses current emissions standards. The majority of programs spending targets areas that are not meeting air quality standards for particulate matter and other pollutants, including at ports, in freight drgs centers, and in numerous distribution centers, and in numerous communities relying on legacy diesel engines, such as school buses and other vehicles. The federal and state grants and other assistance under this program resulted in cleaner cleaner, more efficient vehicles and the net effect is cleaner air in cities and communities that in fact need it the most. As e. P. A. Administrator Andrew Wheeler notes, this is an effective and Innovative Program to improve air quality across the country. In fact, dera funding has proven a costeffective tool to help communities meet their air quality implementation plans. Congress has long supported this program. Which at first reauthorized in 2010, with strong bipartisan support, and even after that authorization, pired in 2016 expired in 2016. This bill will ensure the good work to enhance cleaner technology will in fact continue. I would urge my colleagues to support this legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from illinois is recognized. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material 1768. S bill, h. R. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of the diesel emissions reduction act of 2019. This legislation, introduced by my colleague on the energy and Commerce Committee, the gentlelady from california, ms. Matsui, will reduce harmful emissions and improve air nations our communities by incentivizing updade upgrades or replacements of millions of diesel engines currently in use across our nation. Mr. Speaker, diesel engines play an Important Role in the american economy, helping bring children to school and transport goods all across our country. While supporting jobs across the nation. Retrofitting older diesel engines that emit significant amounts of exhaust with cleaner, americanmade technology is an asy initiative to support. The diesel emissions reduction has lso known as dera, enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support and every state has received funding through the Program Since it was created by Congress Nearly 15 years ago. Since its inception, mr. Speaker, dera has been one of the most costeffective federal Environmental Programs with up health and urn in economic benefits for every 1 put into the program. The program has also been responsible for the creation and intention of local u. S. Jobs that involve manufacturing, nstallation and servicing of emissionrelated technology. At a time, mr. Speaker, when our nation is looking for ways to create jobs, protecting the health of our community especially those who are most vulnerable, addressing climate hange and protecting the environment, supporting this prime ra stands out as a example of what really works. Thank the gentlelady for her tireless work and being a tireless advocate for the dera program. And i strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation. And i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from michigan is recognize dollars. Recognized. Mr. Upton i yield three minutes to the the gentleman from alabama. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. I thank the gentleman and im speaking in opposition. I claim time in opposition. His would authorize from the diesels reduction act and the devil is always in the details. Although the e. P. A. Has a effective emissions. The funds of this program have gone to questionable items, 750,000 for cherrypickers and Parking Spaces in delaware and a ew engine and generators for 1950s train in pennsylvania. The president s budget requests 10 million but this bill would authorize 10 times that amount. We cant ask taxpayers to waste their money. This program was to be a shortterm effort to assist states meeting diesel emission standards and joined a long list of Government Programs for which there is no end in sight. Funding to reduce emissions across 14 programs. The department of transportation and the e. P. A. Surely we can make due with one less. Mr. Palmer we cannot afford to give Additional Resources to a program that clearly duplicates 13 other programs and has a marginal impact at best. The Authorization Program in 2016 should not be resurrected. I urge my colleagues to oppose and i yield. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from michigan reserves. The gentleman from illinois is recognized. Mr. Rush i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Mr. Upton i just would like to you may want toll hold your time for a moment. I want to make appoint this is an authorization that the level of spending will actually be determined by the appropriations committee, not ours. But i would like unanimous consent to put a news release into the record from e. P. A. Aking the point from administrator wheeler that as this report details the dera program is an innovative way to improve air quality and providing children with safer and Reliable Transportation to and from school says administrator wheeler. 10 million older diesel engines are operating throughout our transportation system. Dera has led to cleaner air tonsing emissions, 472,000 smogfoaming night trouse ,700 tons of high ,889,tons of nd 5 dioxide. It take the older vehicles off the road. Industry supports this and better for our communities, which is why our committee under both republican and democratic chairmen and administrations have supported this letting the proitors deciding the level of funding it actually prescribes and urge my colleagues to support this and with that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from illinois is recognized. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i want to associate myself with the remarks of the the gentleman from michigan. With that, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass bill h. R. 1768. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 does in the affirmative the gentleman request the yeas and nays . Yes. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will remain standing until counted. Yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8, rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from illinois seek recognition . Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 2114 as introduced. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 2114, a bill to amend the Energy Policy and conservation act to provide federal Financial Assistance to states and revise state Energy Security plans and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from illinois, mr. Rush, and the gentleman from michigan, mr. Upton, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from illinois. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h. R. 2114. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans recognized. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i rise 2114, support of h. R. The enhancing state Energy Security planning and Emergency Preparedness act of 2019 and i urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. Speaker, h. R. 2114 was introduced by myself and by my good friend and my colleague from michigan, the Ranking Member of the Energy Subcommittee, mr. Upton. And i want to thank my colleagues for working with me to bring this bill to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, this legislation would simply amend the Energy Policy and conservation act by adding a new section authorizing states to utilize federal funding receive