(Washington, DC)  – Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D. (R-South Louisiana), released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 6 Administrator, Al Armendariz, resigned recently after making disparaging comments toward the oil and natural gas industry last week. Region 6 includes the energy-producing state of Louisiana:

“Last week, I called on EPA Region 6 Administrator Al Armendariz to resign after making unacceptable comments about the oil and natural gas industry. By stating the use of fear and intimidation is best suited to enforce policies against America’s oil and natural gas producers, this activist-official clearly should not be overseeing energy-producing states like Louisiana. While disappointed to see this viewpoint expressed by an EPA official, I am relieved to have learned of the resignation.

“Energy producers in South Louisiana already face enough difficulties fighting the president’s constraining policies such as the de facto moratorium on offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The federal government should not foster a culture where the energy industry becomes the target of unelected bureaucrats. I hope the next Administrator of the EPA’s Region 6 will remember the hard-working men and women in the energy industry are providing our nation with a very valuable service.”     

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Boustany is Louisiana’s leading voice for American energy production. By fighting the Obama moratorium on coastal drilling and exploration coupled with supporting increased domestic energy production, Boustany remains South Louisiana’s staunchest advocate for energy independence on Capitol Hill.