Urges Interior Dept. to Open U.S. Waters to Leverage Domestic Energy Potential
WASHINGTON D.C. U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) along with Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) earlier today sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar urging him to move forward with a 5-year outer continental shelf (OCS) plan that would open our offshore energy resources for responsible development in order to help stabilize and drive down energy costs reducing U.S. dependence on energy from unstable regions. The letter was signed by 35 Senators from both sides of the aisle. America has the natural resources to serve our own energy needs and we have the ingenuity to leverage those resources in a responsible manner. If we would just safely develop our own abundant reserves we could ease the burden of soaring energy costs on families create American jobs and curb our costly reliance on imported oil. We have the opportunity to expand exploration and production of our offshore resources and this administration should move forward in that effort with urgency" said Sen. Hutchison.
The United States is the worlds largest energy consumer. It is critical that we reduce our reliance on foreign sources of energy" said Sen. Dorgan. To enhance our nations economic and national security we must develop our own sources of energy including our offshore energy resources" Hutchison added.
Consumer Energy Alliance President David Holt praised the strong Congressional support for OCS access stating The strength of the bipartisan bicameral commitment for affordable energy and access to American resources is outstanding. At a time when the nation is struggling with an economic recovery and millions are seeking employment the groundswell of support for increased domestic energy production continues to grow."
Increased energy production in this country means increased economic opportunity and jobs. Consumer Energy Alliance is grateful for the steadfastness on this issue that Sen. Hutchison and so many members of Congress and Senators continue to demonstrate" Holt added.
In the letter sent today Senators wrote:
It is more important than ever that the federal government allow for development of domestic offshore energy supplies made available in the DPP. By offering new leasing opportunities the DPP is appropriately expansive and provides the Department with maximum flexibility to properly utilize our nations domestic resources.
Now is the appropriate time to promote long-term policies that responsibly encourage job creation while growing the economy. Important offshore areas like those in Alaska offer tremendous natural gas and oil resources."
The full content of the letter can be
viewed here.
