(Washington, DC)– US Representative Sue Myrick (NC-09) voted today to increase America’s energy independence, lower gas prices, and create thousands of much-needed jobs.

HR 2021, the Jobs and Energy Permitting Act, will eliminate the unnecessary permitting delays that have stalled energy production off the coast of Alaska.  Additionally, this bill makes technical clarifications to the Clean Air Act that have led to further delays regarding oil exploration.

It is estimated that development in this area could produce up to one million barrels of oil per day, enough to completely offset our imports from Saudi Arabia.  Additionally, studies indicate that oil and gas production off the coast of Alaska could create over 54,000 jobs.          

“We’re importing nearly 60% of the oil that we use every day. We continue to send money to countries that don’t like us, and yet the Administration continues to tell us that we can’t use the domestic resources that we know are available!  We can lower gas prices, get off of foreign oil and put Americans back to work if we take advantage of the resources we have at home. That’s exactly what we should do,” Myrick said.

The Jobs and Energy Permitting Act passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 253-166.  It has been sent to the Senate for further consideration.

For more information on the American Energy Initiative and to see what House Republicans are doing to increase America’s energy independence, visit the House Natural Resources Committee website.