Henry Cuellar

Energy Independence

Securing Our Energy Future

Now more than ever, the United States has to secure its energy independence for the future and reduce its dependence on foreign sources of oil. When we outsource our energy needs, we export American dollars overseas. That's why, I strongly support domestic energy and oil production as a way to shore up our nation's energy and economic independence.

By balancing our energy needs, our domestic resources and our environment, we can strike a balance in the United States to meet our needs with the resources we have here at home.


Texas and Energy Production

In the 28th District of Texas, we have a number of domestic energy resources we can continue to expand and produce to ensure the rest of the nation has an adequate energy supply. This is why, we should continue to make investments in natural gas, wind, solar and other alternative energy fuels to power Texas and the rest of the country.

The 28th District of Texas is the 6th largest oil production district in Texas and is the 4th largest natural gas production district in the state. These numbers are expected to rise with developments in Eagle Ford shale production.

Important Legislation on Energy

• The Gas Price Stabilization Act directs the Secretary of Energy to publish a plan for the sale of prescribed amounts of light grade petroleum from the SPR and acquire an equivalent volume of heavy grade petroleum. 

• Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas (GHG) to address climate change. Excludes GHGs from the definition of "air pollutant" for purposes of addressing climate change.

• Designed to reduce our Nation's dependency on foreign oil by investing in clean, renewable, and alternative energy resources, promoting new emerging energy technologies, developing greater efficiency, and creating a Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewables Reserve to invest in alternative energy, and for other purposes.

• An Act moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure.

• Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and for other purposes.

• This legislation singles out the oil and gas industry for punitive tax treatment. This change would discourage energy investment, result in the loss of jobs, and ultimately, decrease supply and increase energy costs for businesses that rely on oil and gas.

• This energy tax package also unfairly and punitively singles out the oil and gas industry. The changes proposed by the bill amount to a modern-day version of the 1980-88 Windfall Profit tax, essentially an excise tax on each barrel of oil produced that resulted in reduced domestic oil production and a greater dependency on foreign imports prior to its 1988 repeal.

• American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish, implement, and administer a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources on the Coastal Plain of Alaska.