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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) today has introduced the Energy Employment and Security Act of 2013, a bill that seeks to increase domestic oil production, drive down gas prices, repeal onerous energy development policies and mandates, and reduce bureaucratic delays that obstruct the refining and permitting process.

“Hardworking Americans, small business owners, and farmers across Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District feel the negative impacts of escalating gas prices on their budgets. Unstable gas prices and high energy costs result in a host of negative day-to-day impediments that make everything from groceries to commuting to work more expensive. It is imperative that we implement policies that make energy more affordable for American families,” said Latta.

The bill will curb increased gas prices and create downward pressure on the cost of oil by allowing America to take advantage of its vast domestic oil resources while preserving the free market, and reducing unnecessary government interference. 

“We need a true all-of-the-above approach, one that includes allowing America to utilize our domestic energy resources to provide relief at the pump while creating new jobs and improving U.S. energy security. Recent technological advances in the energy sector have opened up access to once unavailable domestic sources of energy, and specifically in Ohio, this energy renaissance has led to a number of positive economic benefits in small towns and communities,” Latta concluded.

Specifically, this bill expands access in the Outer Continental Shelf, opens up ANWR to exploration and production, establishes a streamlined process for permitting and lease sales, increases access to onshore oil, including shale oil, blocks burdensome andunnecessary regulations, and simplifies the judicial review process to limit frivolous environmental litigation on leasing and permitting that would indefinitely halt energy production.

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