Hagel-- Energy bills seek 'real world' changes

 

Jun 12 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Jake Thompson Omaha World-Herald, Neb.

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said Tuesday that he hopes Congress can pass far-reaching energy legislation this year, but it may take longer.

"You've got to work it hard . . . and there's an endurance effort here, " Hagel said. "You have to stay with it."

Hagel introduced four bills Tuesday that he said offer a comprehensive energy initiative. They are aimed at providing "real world," market-driven improvements in the nation's energy use, supply and production, he said.

Although not a member of the Senate Energy Committee, Hagel said he will seek to have his proposals included as amendments to any energy legislation the Senate passes.

Some of his key proposals would:

--Require the U.S. energy secretary to survey government, private industry and academia to identify the nation's top 10 energy "problems to be solved" and steer more research and development money to them.

--Establish an independent commission to find ways to eliminate regulatory barriers to improving energy security.

--Offer new tax incentives for "cellulosic" ethanol plants burning such material as switch grass, for new investment in clean and renewable energy such as wind or geothermal power, and to promote new energy-efficient technology.

--Require an additional 20 percent of the nation's electricity to be produced from clean sources such as nuclear or hydroelectric power by 2030.

--Establish a public-private commission to upgrade energy efficiency standards for appliances.

--Allow Yucca Mountain in Nevada to begin receiving spent nuclear waste from power plants for storage.

--Raise vehicle fuel economy standards 4 percent a year only if the technology exists to meet that target.

In a speech Tuesday to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Hagel told an audience of about 275 that world energy demand will require an investment of $16 trillion over the next two decades.

"We need more energy, and we're going to need a lot more energy over the next 20 years just to stay current with the energy needs we have," Hagel said.

He said 2 billion of the 6.5 billion people on Earth live in poverty. If their energy needs aren't addressed, they could be "very easy prey" for extremists who see a much different world than most people, he said.

"Energy brings together every interest of every human being in the world," Hagel said.