news

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) voted in favor of a bill to expand U.S. offshore energy production, H.R. 2231, the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act.

“The U.S. has an abundance of natural resources and through the development of these resources we are able to create American jobs and lower energy prices. This bill will expand U.S. energy production while ensuring that it is done in a responsible way,” said Latta.

“This Administration’s energy policy is far from the “all-of-the-above” strategy that the President touts to the public. Since taking office in 2009, access to privately funded development of traditional sources of energy have been blocked on federal lands while regulations on plants that provide low-cost electricity to families and small businesses have increased,” Latta continued. “To meet our nation’s growing long-term energy demands and maintain our economic viability in the world marketplace, we must embrace all of America’s energy resources.”

According to the Congressional Research Service, the Administration’s offshore leasing plan for 2012-2017 offers no new areas for lease and the lowest number of lease sales in history. This bill requires the Administration to submit a five-year leasing plan for developing offshore energy resources by 2015. Also included in the bill is a reorganization of the Department of Interior’s offshore energy agencies into three separate agencies with an emphasis on environmental protections and safety to handle offshore energy operations.

###