NTU urges all Representatives to vote“YES” on H.R. 1231, the Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act.Introduced by Rep. Hastings (R-WA) this bill will lift what has amounted to anExecutive Branch ban on new offshore energy production and will establish adomestic oil and natural gas production goal.
In 2008, due in part to high gasoline prices, a DemocraticCongress and President Bush each ended the decades-long ban on offshore energyproduction. The Obama Administration has since taken a troubling step backward,announcing a restrictive plan that effectively rules out new development alongthe entire Pacific Coast and Atlantic Coast, as well as significant portions ofthe Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. These actions have stifled the ability to bringthe most promising portions of our vast energy resources online, cost Americajobs, and forfeited revenue that could be used to pay down our debt.
Byrequiring that offshore leasing plans include lease sales in areas containingthe greatest known reserves of oil and natural gas, H.R. 1231 would put an endto the Administration’s bureaucratic obstinacy. Furthermore, by requiring eachfive-year plan to lay out a production goal this bill would provide a benchmarkto help lawmakers and citizens alike evaluate future regulatory policies and,if necessary, correct them.
Roll call votes on H.R. 1231 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
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