Energy Importance 6 3

Witnesses at a House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources hearing May 22 stressed the importance of onshore energy development for economic and job growth and energy security. The hearing outlined four bills that would streamline government red tape and expand development of U.S. onshore oil, natural gas, and renewable energy resources as part of an all-of-the-above approach to energy production.

The National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act (H.R. 1964) would cut through cumbersome government regulations to unlock the full potential of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) by ensuring its energy resources are developed and transported in a timely, efficient manner. It would nullify the Department of Interior’s plan to close more than half of NPR-A to energy production.

H.R. 1965, the Federal Lands and Energy Security Act, and H.R. 1394, the Planning for American Energy Act of 2013, are pieces of legislation that would expand onshore energy production by streamlining the permitting process, providing leasing certainty and facilitating oil shale development. H.R. 555, the BLM Live Internet Auctions Act, would update the federal oil and natural gas leasing process by authorizing live Internet auctions, saving taxpayer dollars by updating an antiquated and outdated system.

“Americans shouldn’t be forced to make summer vacation plans based on the prices at the pump. These bills are an important step toward bringing down gasoline prices and giving hard-working families a much-needed break from the Obama no-energy agenda,” said subcommittee chairman Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.). “Our bills would also create American jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign imports, and even help reduce the national debt by bringing in more revenue for the treasury. When we can lower the national debt, there will be more money left for Americans to spend on the needs of their families.”