Congressman Doug LaMalfa

Representing the 1st District of California
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Energy

Our nation needs a coherent policy that promotes domestic production of energy, which will create jobs, decrease our reliance on foreign oil and strengthen economic stability. For the last four years, this administration has stifled the domestic production of oil and natural gas, especially on public lands where vast reserves are known to exist. Furthermore, the forced reliance on less-reliable and more expensive renewable power has contributed to a lack of resources. The economically damaging and excessively high gasoline prices our nation faces are one outcome of these misguided policies.

Unfortunately, the intentional hindering of domestic energy production has resulted in gasoline prices that regularly push toward five dollars a gallon in my home state of California. Astronomically high fuel prices have a direct impact on household budgets, the ability of small businesses to operate and our general economic well-being.

I believe that these common-sense solutions will move our nation toward a more stable economy, increase our energy supply and lower costs for households and employers:

Increase domestic production in an environmentally-safe way: 

  • Expand exploration of natural gas, oil, and coal by removing restrictions and opening new land.
  • Promote clean coal-to-liquid and remove outdated regulations restricting access to our vast oil shale reserves, which contain enough energy to power the nation for decades, if not longer. 
  • Use new domestic production to reduce foreign imports (often from those unfriendly to America) and reduce the price at the pump. The Keystone pipeline should be a significant piece of our energy supply system. 

Develop new, clean, and reliable sources of power:

  • Clean-burning natural gas can provide a vast amount of our nation's energy needs. Development of clean natural gas facilities should be a strong priority.
  • Hydroelectric power is the cheapest, most reliable and cleanest power available. California's biased regulations do not consider hydroelectric power to be renewable, forcing reliance on more expensive sources.
  • I support wind, solar, biomass and geothermal where and when cost competitive, but we must not force reliance on technologies that cannot replace our existing sources.

Cut red tape and increase supply:

  • Expedite the energy production permitting process. Drawing out permitting over years drastically drives up costs and decreases incentives to invest in American production. 
  • Our nation needs to consider nuclear power as a part of its energy portfolio.
  • Improve environmental review so that it cannot be used as a roadblock by obstructionists opposed to virtually all new development.

For more information concerning my work and views on Energy issues, please contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you.

More on Energy

Nov 14, 2014 Press Release

Washington, DC – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) today voted in favor of legislation that would authorize the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of the Keystone XL pipeline. Despite the State Department’s finding that the project had minimal environmental impacts, the project has yet to receive final approval by the Obama administration. 

Jan 17, 2014 Press Release

For Immediate Release

December 19, 2013

 

May 16, 2013 Press Release

Washington, DC – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) today supported a measure authorizing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry petroleum from Canada and the Northern United States as far South as Texas. The bill, HR 3, was passed by the Natural Resources Committee and will now be considered on the House floor. The bill’s passage comes on the heels of a State Department report finding that the project will have no major environmental impacts.

Apr 12, 2013 Video

Congressman Doug LaMalfa supports and Co-Authors HR 678 to promote clean American hydroelectric power.

Apr 12, 2013 Press Release

Washington, DC – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) voted in favor of a measure he cosponsored to ease environmental red tape for new hydroelectric projects. Introduced with Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO), HR 678 eliminates the National Environmental Protection Act review process for small hydroelectric generators installed on man-made canals and pipelines operated by the Bureau of Reclamation.

Mar 20, 2013 Press Release

Washington, DC – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) today passed his first bill as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives out of the Agriculture Committee.  H.R. 1038, the “Public Power Risk Management Act of 2013”, preserves the ability of public power utilities to purchase energy for futures needs at cost-effective rates. The measure passed with unanimous support and is cosponsored by bipartisan lawmakers from around the nation.

Mar 20, 2013 In The News

The U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee approved House Resolution 1038, the Public Power Risk Management Act of 2013.

The bipartisan bill was introduced by House Agriculture Committee member Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and was co-sponsored by fellow House Agriculture Committee members Jim Costa (D-CA), Jeff Denham (R-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), and Financial Services Committee member Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) on March 11, 2013.