A Positive Step Forward
Mark Green
Posted June 17, 2009
Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 15 to 8 to approve an energy bill that would open part of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico for additional oil and natural gas leasing and clarify ambiguous language included in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This language--as originally written--could have prohibited federal agencies from using transportation fuels derived from Canadian oil sands.
The committee took a positive step forward by passing this bill and recognizing the importance of additional offshore oil and natural gas development and Canadian oil to our nation's energy and economic security. The majority of Americans favor increased offshore development, and they recognize it means more jobs, more government revenues and more domestic energy supplies.
As the bill moves forward in the Senate, we hope policymakers find a resolution to ensure that coastal states are compensated for development off their shores because that production will benefit all Americans in terms of revenues, additional jobs and greater domestic energy supply.
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Update on June 22, 2009: Read more about the Senate's proposed energy bill in my response to today's post from the National Journal's energy blog. Comments to this post come from a variety of individuals knowledgeable about energy issues.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.