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Washington, DC - Today, in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol building, Congressman John E. Peterson, R-Pleasantville, joined several House Republican colleagues, including Speaker emeritus Dennis Hastert (IL), GOP conference chairman Adam Putman (FL), and Energy and Commerce Committee ranking member Joe Barton (TX), to lay out the framework for a balanced, innovative and comprehensive energy security plan.
“As we begin to move into the summer months, when energy demands increase dramatically, House Republicans are committed and united to reducing dependence on foreign energy and bringing down energy costs,” said Peterson, considered among the most vocal advocates in the House for the creation of a comprehensive, production-based energy strategy.
“American small businesses and manufacturing jobs are what are at stake when it comes to the cost and availability of energy. Do we want to depend on our energy from unfriendly countries, or should we produce American energy here at home, all while conserving and using energy more wisely?”
The theme of the press conference was threefold; efficiency and conservation, security and diversity, and research and development.
“The federal government must take its foot off of the throat of supply and allow production of domestic resources, specifically natural gas, on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The American people must understand that natural gas – unlike oil – is not a globally traded commodity. Conversely, natural gas – a regional commodity – prices vary across the country and world.”
Currently there are two separate, but largely overlapping moratoria preventing energy exploration along more than 85 percent of the federal OCS. One is congressional – the result of a provision in an annual appropriations bill precluding the Interior Department from leasing offshore tracts for exploration. The other is presidential – adopted first by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and later extended by Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush.
“I believe in my core that these moratoria must be lifted and we must start producing natural gas as quickly as possible. If we don't, countries across the world will continue to drill for natural gas off their shores and stockpile energy that we’ve historically had access to. As a result, we’ll continue to see businesses and manufacturers move offshore where gas is cheaper. We're seeing this with Dow Chemical – who's energy costs skyrocketed from $6 billion to $22 billion from 2002 to 2006. What incentive is there for companies like Dow to stay here?”
Peterson also expressed continued disappointment with the current administration’s energy policies.
“This President needs to expand his administration’s energy policy approach. Yes, the president has called for increased fuel efficiency and increased funding for alternative and renewable energy. You bet I support those, as well as bio-diesel, hydrogen and ethanol. But, the president’s proposals still fail to address the OCS resources that we have available here at home.”
In the coming weeks, Peterson will unveil a standalone bill – the National Environment and Energy Development (NEED) Act – that will lift the congressional moratoria for natural gas leasing on the OCS. His bipartisan measure will ensure state’s rights, direct royalties to environmental restoration funds, and producing states and will include strong labor provisions.
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