Washington, DC - Congressman Mac Thornberry (TX-13) yesterday introduced H.R. 3089 the, "No More Excuses Act of 2007 ," to encourage domestic production of energy.  "It is time to take away the political excuses for high energy prices and America's dependence on foreign energy resources, particularly imported oil," said Congressman Thornberry.  "It is fashionable these days to see who can come up with the plan that reduces energy consumption the most.  I think most Americans want a different kind of competition - one that tries to see how we can increase domestic energy production the fastest."

"Everyone understands supply and demand.  It is time for Congress to quit trying to blame other countries, or the oil companies, or anyone else for the decisions Congress itself has made.  No more excuses!  Rather than punishing American consumers with new taxes and regulations we need to act today to increase energy production here at home."

The "No More Excuses Act of 2007" includes provisions that:

• Encourage new refinery construction by requiring IRS to take action to allow tax exempt bonds to be used for construction of certain refineries, and make federal lands available for refinery construction.
• Reduce green house emissions by offering a tax credit for CO2 captured for use in marginal oil wells.
• Boost alternative energy development by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for 10 years.
• Lift the Congressional Moratoria on drilling in along the Outer Continental Shelf potentially providing 17 billion barrels of oil.
• Open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to responsible drilling, potentially producing nearly a million barrels per day for several decades.
• Encourage investment in a much-needed industrial base for building new nuclear power plants by reducing the tax burden on that industry.

"My approach is to unleash the creative power of American industry and unlock the energy resources we have within the United States," concluded Thornberry. "We have made it too difficult for too long to build refineries and new power plants, and we have put much of the country off-limits to oil, gas, and coal development. This bill takes some common sense measures to help increase our domestic energy supply and, with time, would also help ease the price squeeze Americans are feeling at the gas pump."

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