Published: 09-25-08
Washington DC – U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) today released the following statement after the House approved a continuing resolution that will allow the ban on offshore energy and oil shale production to expire at the end of this month:
“After months of Democratic opposition to increasing energy production offshore and on federal lands the will of the American people has won. Today the Democratic Majority caved to relentless Republican protests to increase American-made energy by ending their last-minute attempts to prevent full repeal of the current offshore energy moratorium. Now the congressional ban on offshore energy and oil shale development will expire on October 1 2008 – a day of American energy victory in the long road to energy independence.
“But we must do more. Congress must open the Arctic Energy Slope in Alaska to responsible production eliminate government bureaucracy that stands in the way of offshore drilling leases and pass lawsuit reforms to prevent frivolous lawsuits from radical interest groups intent on stopping the environmentally-sound exploration of American energy.
“Additionally the Majority’s ad hoc approach to energy policy fails to address fully our nation’s urgent energy needs. For far too long high energy costs have intensified difficult financial times for families schools small businesses and communities. The current economic challenges underscore the need for comprehensive American-made energy solutions that achieve energy independence and provide reliable energy resources to fuel our economy.
“That is why I will continue calling on Congress to pass the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566) – an all-of-the-above energy plan that will increase supply through traditional and renewable energy production reduce demand through conservation and efficiency and free our nation from dependence on foreign oil.
“The offshore energy ban expiration highlights the progress Congress can make when the voice of the American people prevails over partisan political interests. Congress must do the same to pass comprehensive energy solutions. The American people deserve nothing less.”
