Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr. MD (R-Southwest Louisiana) today voted in favor of increased American energy production. The Jobs and Energy Permitting Act of 2011, H.R. 2021, an additional piece of the House Republican American Energy Initiative, provides clarity and predictability in the permitting process for oil and gas exploration projects on the Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf, as well as other offshore areas.

“We are determined to get our domestic energy production up and running again, despite the obstruction of the Obama Administration,” Boustany said. “This legislation allows for the production of up to one million barrels of oil per day and the creation of new American jobs. Despite the administration’s hostile actions toward American energy producers, including the moratorium in the Gulf, I am determined to push for policies that promote American energy production, create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

H.R. 2021 eliminates permitting delays by making three technical clarifications to the Clean Air Act:

·Specifies any drilling vessel must be considered a stationary source, and regulated as such, once drilling commences. 

·Clarifies that service ships are not regulated as stationary sources simply because they supply or service Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sources.  Currently, service ships are regulated under the Clean Air Act as mobile sources.

·Specifies air emission impacts are to be measured onshore, consistent with the emissions measurements which apply to facilities on land, measuring emissions at the point where they could affect the public, whether at the shoreline or on the fence line.

The bill also eliminates the bureaucratic delays that occur between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its Environmental Appeals Board.  Rather than having exploration air permits repeatedly approved and rescinded by the agency and its review board, the EPA will be required to take final action – granting or denying a permit – within six months. 

Earlier this year, as part of the House Republican American Energy Initiative, Congressman Boustany joined Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) in introducing three crucial pieces of legislation designed to end the Obama Administration’s drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico, expand offshore lease sales, and lift the ban on new drilling along the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.

Boustany is a leading voice for American energy production, which is vital to the Louisiana economy. “I will continue to work closely with federal, state and local officials, as well as our offshore energy producers, to address the ongoing permitting delays and job-killing regulations, and to ensure Louisiana remains a leader in domestic energy production,” Boustany said.

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