Sponsored byRep. Gardner (R-CO), this bill would streamline the EPA’s air qualitypermitting process to encourage the exploration and utilization of energyresources in the Outer Continental Shelf.
Despitethe abundance of energy resources off Alaska’s shores, including approximately27 billion barrels of oil and 132 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, attemptsat developing them have languished as a result of an onerous federal permittingprocess. The needless delay is largely the result of questionableinterpretations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) made worse by overlappingjurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the EnvironmentalAppeals Board (EAB). Such bureaucratic inefficiencies have led to lengthypermitting times which threaten continued investment and job creation.
H.R.2021 would begin to untangle the red tape on offshore energy deposits byclarifying the intent of the CAA as to how emissions are to be sourced andmeasured, eliminating the duplicative regulatory efforts between the EPA and EAB,and providing a clear 6-month timetable for action on a clean air permit. Thesesteps are vital to fully utilizing our vast oil and natural gas deposits in asafe, responsible, and efficient way.
Roll call votes on H.R. 2021 will be significantlyweighted in our annual Rating of Congress and a “YES” vote will beconsidered the pro-taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Government Affairs Manager Brandon Greife at(703) 683-5700