WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans who have called for new oil drilling to lower gasoline prices will visit the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden on July 18, saying alternative energy is another needed solution.
House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio will lead the group of 10 Republicans, which also will include Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs. Some then will head to Alaska’s north slope, where many Republicans want oil drilling.
“Our stops in both Colorado and Alaska reflect the ‘all of the above’ approach that House Republicans have been promoting for months and years in spite of stiff opposition from congressional Democrats,” Boehner said.
Democrats called the visit hypocritical, citing the funding NREL received under Republican rule.
“For years, they’ve ignored the best lab in the world, NREL, and only last year under a Democratic Congress did NREL receive the critical boost in funding it needs,” said Rep. Ed Perlmutter, a Golden Democrat whose district is home to the lab.
Federal funding for the lab fell in 2004 and 2005, with only a slight increase in 2006. Republicans controlled Congress during that period.
With Democrats controlling Congress in 2007, funding for NREL grew to $372 million from $201 million in 2006.
Lamborn, who will not be traveling to Alaska with the group, said alternative energy “is part of the future of energy even though it might not be ready today. Alternative energy is not yet commercially feasible.
“It’s important to know more of what the energy alternatives are there,” Lamborn said. “Although obviously the biggest need for energy is production through drilling.”
At the lab, the group will learn about technologies to improve vehicle efficiency and about turning nonfood plant material into fuel, said NREL spokesman George Douglas.
Of the 11 Republicans visiting the lab, nine voted against major energy legislation with renewable-energy provisions that passed the House last year. Two were not in Congress.
Republicans have said they support extending tax credits for renewable-energy production but oppose Democratic efforts that tie that to ending favorable tax treatment for oil companies.
There have not been specific votes on funding for the energy lab because it is included in major spending bills.
Anne C. Mulkern: 202-662-8907 or amulkern@denverpost.com
