CONGRESSMAN SALAZAR ARGUES AGAINST RAPID OIL SHALE DEVELOPMENT

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WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen John Salazar today rose in opposition to H.R. 4761, the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2006, stating on the House floor that the bill did little to relieve the Western Slope from oil and gas development pressures.

“The entire point of off shore drilling is to lessen the pressure on exploration in the West,” said Salazar. “Oil shale provisions are simply wrong – it ruined the lives of many families out West and I cannot support a policy that could lead to another disaster.”

The following is the complete text of Salazar’s Floor speech:

“I have supported off-shore oil and gas development in the past but I cannot support this bill in its current form.  This bill goes beyond off-shore exploration and reaches back into the energy bill to change a carefully written compromise on oil shale development.

“The district I represent is home to the largest reserve of oil shale in the nation.  I have serious concerns that the provisions in this bill will speed along and encourage irresponsible development.

“Western Colorado has already experienced one boom and bust due to oil shale speculation. It ruined the lives of many families out West – I cannot support a policy that could lead to another disaster.

“Worst case scenario – this provision would line the pockets of rogue speculators who rush in with little care for the people or the land of Western Colorado. I do not want oil shale to speed along at a pace that could endanger Western Colorado and leave it a potential wasteland.

“Mr. Speaker, I support responsible development of our natural resources but the oil shale language is far from that. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill to eliminate the oil shale provisions.”