By Frank A. Masters -
A bill will be voted on in the U.S. House this week (June 18-22) to significantly increase oil and gas production on America's public lands, limit the EPA's regulatory overreach that threatens further harm in the downstream sector, and place a condition on the White House's ability to release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
The "Domestic Energy and Jobs Act" combines measures that cleared both the House Natural Resources and the Energy and Commerce Committees this Spring. This legislation, if passed, would:
- require the Interior Department to develop strategic plans and practices to accelerate energy development on public lands;
- limit specific EPA downstream regulations for at least 13 months, pending a review of cumulative costs impact on gasoline prices; and,
- order that any Strategic Petroleum Reserve release be coupled with an expansion of oil and gas development on public lands.
The need to develop more oil, natural gas, and related products in America is clear and urgent. To stimulate economic growth, job creation, and national energy security, we must increase access to domestic energy resources within our reach and promote balanced regulatory policies.
I hope you will contact your U.S. Representative to encourage him/her to SUPPORT the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act that promotes expanded access, while limiting regulatory overreach. These combined efforts can contribute to the creation of more American jobs and economic growth.
Frank R. Masters resides in Carlinville IL.
