Report No.22 - 96th Congress - September 14, 1979 - ENERGY POLICY - WATER RESOURCES - ENERGY DEVELOPMENT—SYNFUELS

Sep 21, 2026

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Report No.22 of the 96th Congress (1st Session) dated September 14, 1979 summarizes key committee actions and testimony on major national policy areas. It describes a House vote rejecting an amendment on establishing an Energy Mobilization Board with expanded waiver authority and a “fast track” licensing approach. It also covers Senate subcommittee hearings on water resources legislation, including Corps project authorizations and state-federal cost sharing reforms, alongside discussions of synthetic fuels oversight hearings, technology status, incentives, and security objectives.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

ENERGY POLICY

WATER RESOURCES

ENERGY DEVELOPMENT—SYNFUELS

Report No.22 96th Congress September 14,1979 lst Session ## ENERGY POLICY In a key vote on_the powers to be given an Energy Mobilization Board(EMB),theHouse Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee on September 5 rejected the Wirth Amend-ment by a 16-25 vote.This Amendment,offered by Colorado Rep,Tim Wirth,was stronglysupported by environmentalists,and would have 11mited the power of the EMB to estab-1ishing procedural dead1ines for the issuance of permits requfred for a priority energyproject.The Carter Administration had recommended creation of an EMB to put priorityenergy projects on a "fast track"to speed 1icensing.A number of versions of an EMBex1st,with varying powers.As reported by the Energy and Power Subcommittee,the EMBwould be empowered to recommend walving many federal,state and local laws.ThePresident couid then waive them,subject only to a one house veto.In other s1gnificantaction,the commlttee also twice rejected an amendment offered by Nevada Rep.Jim Santin1which would 1imit the EMB's waiver authority to federal law.An amendment offered byRep.Phi1lip Sharp(Ind.)to require an affirmative vote by both Houses of Congressbefore a law could be waived was also defeated.The committee has several controversialareas yet to consider,but 1s expected to report the bi1l at its next session.The voteon the Wirth Amendment follows.A "no"vote was a vote against the Wirth Amendment. Those voting "yes"were:Eckhardt,Scheuer,Ottinger,Waxman,Wirth,Florio,Moffett,Maguire,Markey,Walgren,Gore,Mikulski,Swift,Leland,Rinaido,and Corcoran.Those voting "no"were:Staggers,Dingell,Van Deerlin,Murphy(N.Y.),Satterfield,Preyer,Sharp,Santini,Russo,Luken,Mott1,Gramm,Shelby,Devine,Broyhil1,Carter,Brown (Oho),Co1lins,Lent,Madigan,Moorehead,Stockman,Marks,Lee,Loeffler,andDannemeyer. "Fast track"energy bills could be on the floor of both Houses by the last week inSeptember. ## WATER RESOURCES September 6 and 7,the Subcommittee on Water and Power of the Senate Committee onthe Environment and Public Works heard testimony concerning two major issues:s.703,theauthorizat1on for new Corps of Engineers water resources developments projects,ands.1241 or s.1599,proposals for reforming state-federal cost sharing procedures on waterprojects. On the first day,the Administration presented its views.Assistant Secretary_ofthe Interlor Guy Martin and Secretary of the Army Blumenfeld both expressed dissatisfac-tion with the authorizations bill,S.703.They pointed out that several projects in thebi11 are proposed for authorization before all necessary reviews or studies have beencompleted.Mr.Martin stated,"This action violates sound planning practice and iscontrary to one of the most important project revlew criteria announced by the Presidentin his water policy message last year--that all necessary project report and revlewrequirements be completed prior to authorization."Major objectives of the bllls are tospeed project authorization procedures,insure state involvement early in the planningprocess,and encourage state prforities in selecting Federal water development projects.s.1599 changes state cost shares,but makes only minor alterations in current procedures.s.1241 takes an innovative new approach to monies allocation and gives states enormousleeway in selecting and prioritizing water development projects. September 7,private groups testified.Ed Oann,NWF Legislative Representative,expressed concern over the minor financial and decision-making contribution requfred ofthe states in S.1599。Although S.1241 serves as a good framework for reform in waterresources development,It 1acks a firm commltment to federal water resources policy ingiving the states decision-making responsibility. ## ENERGY DEVELOPMENT--SYNFUELS The House Committee on Science and Technology reconvened 1mmediately following theAugust recess,resuming its review of energy technologies and launchingfive days ofoversight hearings on synthetic fuels.Representatives of industry,state

FAQs

What vote outcome is reported for the Wirth Amendment on the Energy Mobilization Board?

The House Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee rejected the Wirth Amendment by a 16-25 vote, limiting the EMB’s procedural deadline powers for priority energy permits.

What issues were addressed in the water resources subcommittee hearings?

Hearings covered authorization for new Corps of Engineers water resources projects and proposals to reform state-federal cost sharing procedures for water projects.

Why does the report emphasize synthetic fuels development?

It frames synthetic fuels as necessary for future fuel supplies and national security, while discussing technology status and the need for federal economic incentives and appropriate roles for public and private sectors.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Liam