As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, comprehensive national energy policy is extremely important to me. The war on terror, recent natural disasters and a global rise in crude oil demand have shown us that we must continue to address energy consumption and production. Stable energy prices and sound energy legislation are the backbones of our nation that will allow us to flourish as a people.
On July 8, 2005, H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed into law. This comprehensive energy package is a balanced mix of incentives and actions that promote greater economic and national security through conservation, exploration, and innovation. I believe that H.R. 6 is a significant step in the right direction to truly help secure America’s power supply for the 21st century. On October 17, 2005, Congress passed the Gasoline for America's Security (GAS) Act of 2005. The GAS Act seeks to update and streamline the permitting process for new refineries. The bill also reduces the number of “boutique fuels” around the country from 17 to 6, promotes conservation through carpooling and a fuel-efficiency awareness campaign, and, for the first time, bans price gouging at the federal level.
Energy Statistics:
• Employing over 100,000 people, the energy industry is very important to the economy in Oklahoma.
• Oklahoma plays a key role in a national energy strategy with our independent producers and royalty owners. Independent oil and gas producers, often with 10 or fewer employees, drill 85 percent of our nation’s wells, produce 65 percent of natural gas, and account for nearly 40 percent of oil production.
• The top five oil and gas producing states are Texas, Louisiana, Alaska, Oklahoma, and California.
• For more information visit the US Energy Information Administration or the U.S. Department of Energy
|
