We cannot continue to depend on leaders such as Hugo Chavez for our energy needs. I believe that Congress should dedicate itself to achieving energy independence by 2015. This is an ambitious goal; one which will require industry, policy makers, and Americans to think of innovative approaches to meet our energy needs. Our traditional energy sources will only get us so far; we can't drill our way to energy independence; we need a balanced approach. But then the temperature drops and heaters go on... Read more

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - MICHAEL C. BURGESS ENERGY AND AIR QUALITY HEARING "Understanding the Peak Oil Theory" December 7, 2005 First, I want to thank Chairman Hall for convening this hearing today. There have been a number of articles in the press on this subject and I think the information provided in today's hearing will help this committee get beyond the rhetoric to the facts. The geography of oil and gas has led our country to place our energy assurance in the hands of leaders such as Ve... Read more

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Fiscal Year 2006 Energy and Water Development Appropriations, and the Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations conference reports. Congressman Michael C. Burgess voted in favor of both conference reports. “I am very pleased that these worthy projects will receive funding,” said Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26). “When fighting for precious federal, taxpayer dollars, I knew I had to be accountable for picking projects that were... Read more

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - MICHAEL C. BURGESS ENERGY AND AIR QUALITY HEARING NATURAL GAS AND HEATING OIL FOR AMERICAN HOMES November 2, 2005 First, I want to thank Chairman Barton for convening this hearing today. I think today's hearing will do a good job of breaking down the natural gas and home heating oil supply chains. We did something similar following Hurricane's Katrina and Rita to break down the supply chain for gasoline. As we discussed during our hearing last week, the EIA expects ho... Read more

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - MICHAEL C. BURGESS ENERGY AND COMMERCE HEARING EIA'S REPORT ON SHORT-TERM ENERGY OUTLOOK AND WINTER FUELS OUTLOOK October 19, 2005 First, I want to thank Chairman Barton for convening this hearing today. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, many news reports and most of our constituents have focused on gasoline prices at the pump. While high gasoline prices are a very real concern, and will continue to be in the future, a looming issue is the expected increase ... Read more

Click here for the full version.Please do not respond to this email. To contact Congressman Burgess, use the "Write Your Rep" service. If you would to be removed from our email distribution list, please click here. This link will redirect you to the main page of the congressional website where you can remove your email address. Column: Giving a Moment of Hope and a Future of Happiness Office of Rep. Burgess Reunites a Mother and Child Separated by Hurricane Katrina On the tumultuous Thursday nig... Read more

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - MICHAEL C. BURGESS ENERGY AND COMMERCE HEARING RECOVERING FROM KATRINA September 7, 2005 First, I want to thank Chairman Barton for convening this hearing today. The Chairman has indicated that this will be the first of a series of hearings to examine impact of Hurricane Katrina. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many of my constituents have contacted me with concerns about price gouging by gasoline retailers. It is tempting to be led by emotion and make quick decisio... Read more

Click here for the full version.Burgess Supports National Energy Policy Legislation Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) voted in favor of a national energy policy. The conference report on H.R. 6, The Energy Policy Act of 2005 passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 275-156. “With our ever-increasing dependence on foreign oil, I knew it was vital to our national security, and our economy, to make the United States self-sufficient when it comes to our energy needs,” ... Read more

Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) voted in favor of a national energy policy. The conference report on H.R. 6, The Energy Policy Act of 2005 passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 275-156. Congress has been working on legislation that would put such a policy in place since 2001, and it was ranked as a high priority for the 109th Congress. Both the House and Senate passed their respective versions of the bill earlier in the year, before conferring and bringing the... Read more

Mr. Speaker, this has indeed been a long process. I thank the Chairman and the ranking member for providing us with the leadership that has given us this balanced legislative product. Conservation, production, alternative energy sources, and new technologies, hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, are all part of this energy bill that we have before us today. In my district, back in the Texas, this bill is significant because we have a big solar panel production plant in Keller, Texas; we have a w... Read more