Tester’s newest bill cuts red tape, promotes renewable energy

Senator’s bill would create new office in Montana

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – On the floor of the U.S. Senate, Jon
Tester today outlined his newest legislation, which would cut government red
tape and streamline renewable energy projects across the
country.

If passed, Tester’s bill will establish a new “Renewable
Energy Pilot Project Office” in Montana and five other states to help energy
developers get federal permits for renewable energy projects and transmission
lines.

“In Montana, several alternative energy projects
have been held up by the federal government.  Why?  Because of too much red
tape,” Tester said while explaining his bill on the Senate floor
today.

“In the 2005 Energy Bill, we created an oil and gas
pilot project to speed up on-shore oil and gas exploration and drilling,” Tester
said.  “It’s worked.  If we put the same focus on renewable energy that we have
on oil and gas, we’d be in a different spot here today.  And we won’t run out of
renewables like we will with oil.”

The Renewable Energy Pilot Project Offices will be
housed in existing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices.  Tester’s
legislation requires the U.S. Energy and Interior Secretaries to decide which
BLM offices to use in Montana, Arizona, California,
New Mexico, Nevada and Wyoming.  The bill also allows each Renewable
Energy Pilot Project Office to hire additional employees to help renewable
energy developers get federal permits.

“Renewable energy projects will generate good jobs here
in America while creating sustainable
energy supply at affordable prices for consumers,” Tester said.  “Americans
deserve no less.  It’s a matter of national and economic
security.”

Tester is a member of the Senate Energy Committee.  He
introduced his legislation as part of his three-part energy
plan, which emphasizes renewable energy development, responsible oil
drilling, and cracking down on out-of-control oil
speculators.

Tester’s legislation will be included in an overall
energy plan, which the Senate is working on this
week.

Tester’s floor speech, as prepared for delivery, appears
below.

###

Senator Jon
Tester

Floor
Remarks

September 17,
2008

Prepared for
Delivery

Mr. President, this week our attention turns back to
another pressing issue: energy.

It’s long past time for a common-sense policy with
short-term and long-term solutions.  America deserves no less.  After all,
it’s a matter of national and economic security.

Securing our energy future will free America from being held hostage to foreign
producers like Russia,
Venezuela and
Saudi
Arabia.

And renewable energy projects will generate good jobs
here in America while creating sustainable
energy supply at affordable prices for consumers.

I’ve spoken many times on this floor about the need to
drill for more oil in parts of our country that make sense, like the Bakken
Formation in Eastern
Montana.

I’ve called on my colleagues to work together and crack
down on speculators who artificially drive up the price of
oil.

And of course, I’ve spoken about the need to conserve,
and to invest in alternative and renewable energy for the
future.

That’s why I rise today, Mr.
President.

In Montana, several alternative energy projects
have been held up by the federal government.  Why?  Too much red
tape.

And this administration has cut staff and resources—just
when we need them the most.

That’s why I am introducing legislation that will help
get renewable energy projects approved faster.  The measure will cut through the
red tape that slows down too many of these innovative and important
projects.

My bill will make it easier for the folks who are
figuring out how to use new technology to solve the energy crisis while also
cutting down on greenhouse gases.

It would create as many as six Renewable Energy Pilot
Project offices across the country to coordinate federal permits for renewable
energy projects and transmission lines.

Mr. President, this legislation is only one part of the
puzzle, but it’s a pretty important piece.

In the 2005 Energy Bill, we created oil and gas pilot
projects to speed up on-shore oil and gas exploration and drilling.  It’s
worked.

If we put the same focus on renewable energy that we
have on oil and gas, we’d be in a different spot today.  And we won’t run out of
renewables like we will with oil.

I appreciate the work that many of my colleagues have
been doing to develop a bipartisan energy proposal.  I support this work.  And I
call on the Senate to work together to pass common sense solutions to this
energy crisis.

We can’t put all our eggs in one basket.  Energy
security requires a mix of solutions.  And it’s not going to happen overnight.  
But every day we delay is another day that we continue to rely on foreign
energy.

Mr. President, I yield the
floor.