Kaptur statement at hearing on Department of Energy 2017 budget request
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you Secretary Moniz, for being here today and for your exemplary leadership. In recognition that this may be your last appearance at this hearing—although no matter who wins in November I think they would be very well-served by keeping you on—I’d like to recognize the exceptional job you and the Department of Energy have done in service to our country. It has been a pleasure to work with you. Too few Americans realize just what an enormous energy revolution is happening around our world. But it is a credit to your work and concerted effort at the Department including those who filled your position before you going all the way back to President Carter who created your Department. These Americans saw the need to end America’s energy dependence, and what could happen if we failed to supply energy fundamentals to our people. Please let me present you two charts that make it clear how far America has come towards restoring an energy independent America.
U.S. Oil Supply Sources
Source: Energy Information Administration
As you can see, between 2008 and 2014, the amount of crude oil we produce here at home has increased extraordinary achievements in energy security by 50% while our dependence on OPEC has been cut almost in half. This is an extraordinary achievement in energy security for our country. We and the world will have to adjust to match these positive trends.
America’s long-term commitment to science and basic energy research has really started to yield results that matter strategically and economically. I am very pleased to see in your budget request a significant push toward increasing research and specifically towards ARPA-E’s funding. I’d also note how pleased I am about the private-public dynamic relationship that you are building through Bill Gates’ Mission Innovation initiative. As Mr. Gates has become fond of saying, if we’re going to truly tackle climate change, we need an energy miracle. That miracle can only be possible with continued large investments in high-level research that I know our people are capable of.
I’m specifically interested in hearing from you today about the Department’s work in energy storage and distributed generation, the energy-water nexus and the energy-water-FOOD nexus, as well as efforts towards grid modernization and upgrading our nuclear capacities.
Now, as great as this American energy revolution is for the climate, our economy, and for our national security, we mustn’t forget that a dynamic economy grows only through innovation. Many of my colleagues like to point out the fact that there are now more Americans working in the solar industry than there are mining coal. That fact is amazing. Indeed I’m extremely proud to represent a region that includes First Solar, a leader in photovoltaics, and I thank the Secretary for visiting there personal. First Solar is a company based in technologies of the future. While we are encouraging new industries, it is vital that we don’t forget about the people who are losing their jobs as across our country in this transition, and to think forward with them. Beyond the miners in Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky, it is also the men and women who work on the coal trains and in the coal plants and docks who are struggling. Economists like to say that markets will adjust and capital will go towards its best use, but human capital is not quite as flexible. When people have worked hard in an industry for generations, they can’t just snap their fingers and find another job. I think it’s important for all of us to remember to respect their hard work. America simply must fashion a smoother pathway to transition workers who face job loss, health care loss, and pension loss – surely this country can do better than that.
With that I’ll close my remarks. Thank you once again Mr. Secretary for your remarkable work, as well as for being with us here today. I look forward to your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the time.