American Energy Production Means More American Jobs
Washington,
Mar 1, 2012 -
With millions of Americans still struggling to find a job, Congress must do all it can to remove obstructions to economic growth and job creation. Rising energy costs pose a tremendous burden on the budgets of American families and job creators, raising the costs of goods, services, and transportation. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration’s support for policies that restrict our ability to access our nation’s own vast energy resources will harm our economic recovery, stifle job creation, and make it more difficult to strengthen American energy independence.
At a time when our nation is facing economic hardship, it is unacceptable to increase the cost of energy, ship American jobs overseas, and severely restrict the production of American-made energy. With long-term investments in alternative energies still years from coming to fruition, it is critical that our nation pursue a balanced, comprehensive energy strategy that strengthens our energy supply.
While I was encouraged to hear the President call for more oil and natural gas development during his recent State of the Union address, his inaction speaks louder than words. During the 112th Congress, the House of Representatives acted to increase access to American energy, including passing legislation to streamline the permit approval process for energy exploration off the coast of Alaska and end the Administration’s de facto drilling moratorium along the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, Democrat leadership in the U.S. Senate has not yet brought these pro-growth, pro-American energy bills up for consideration.
In addition to increasing our access to resources here at home, it is important that we utilize our relationships with our strongest allies. That is why I strongly support the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would bring hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil a day from Canada to American oil refineries. Not only would the pipeline help lessen our dependence on oil from unfriendly nations, it would create thousands of jobs for American workers, and provide a much needed boost for our economy.
Unfortunately, the President has inexplicably denied the permit application for the Keystone pipeline. As to concerns raised about the pipeline’s potential impact on our natural resources, the U.S. State Department last summer issued an environmental impact statement declaring that the project would have a minimal impact on our environment. While I am disappointed with the President’s decision, I will continue working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to move this job-creating project forward.
By increasing our energy supply from resources here at home and our neighbors to the north, we can help drive down the cost of gas, lessen our dangerous dependence on oil from unfriendly nations, and create more jobs for Americans. With 21st Century technologies and the strictest environmental standards in the world, America can produce and refine more of our own resources and protect our environment at the same time. I will continue to work aggressively in Congress to promote policies that will address our country’s energy needs and spur private sector job creation.
Rep. Gary Miller represents California’s 42nd Congressional District.
