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In the 113th Congress, as Chairman Emeritus of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and as a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I will continue the fight for an all-of-the-above energy policy that promotes energy independence, job creation, and economic growth. 

Over the last decade, the United States’ energy profile has undergone a shift from declining oil and gas production and dependence on imports to surging production and abundant domestic resources. This is attributable to increased domestic energy production, more efficient energy use, and technological advances in oil and natural gas production methods that have made recovery of previously inaccessible resources, such as those in shale formations, economically recoverable.

This resurgence can be credited in part to the development of specific technologies, particularly the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. The United States currently ranks second and third in global natural gas and oil production, respectively. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts the U.S. will overtake Saudi Arabia to become the world’s largest oil producer by 2020 and overtake Russia to become the largest natural gas producer by 2015. Increased production, coupled with reduced domestic consumption, has led to a sharp decrease in energy imports. In 2012, imports accounted for 41% of total domestic oil consumption, down from 60% in 2005. Domestic natural gas production is also projected to increase substantially, due largely to an anticipated increase in shale gas production of nearly 200% from 2011 to 2035.

We need to build on our efforts to achieve energy independence, recognizing that good energy policy is also good environmental policy. We must pursue a comprehensive strategy that expands our infrastructure and increases domestic production, including nuclear and alternative fuels. We have numerous untapped resources in our own backyard that can provide much-needed jobs and more affordable energy. Unfortunately, the current Administration, partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is doing all it can to stifle the production of petroleum, natural gas, and clean coal. 

We need to invest in research and development of alternative and renewable sources - such as wind, solar, biomass, and coal to liquids - but we cannot yank the rug out from under our main sources of energy.  We need to solve the nuclear waste issue and build more carbon-free nuclear power plants for electricity generation. We also need conservation and efficiency, and we have made strides in this area, driven by the application of new technologies. From 2011 to 2040, the U.S. population is expected to grow by 29%; over the same time period, energy use is expected to grow by only 10% while energy use per capita declines by 15%.

American Energy Production and Job Growth

• American Energy Initiative
• Hydraulic Fracturing
• Yucca Mountain
• Keystone XL Pipeline

Exposing EPA’s Flawed Science and Job-Killing Regulations

Ultra-Deep Drilling

Legislative Activity in the 113th Congress

Energy and Commerce Hearing Highlights

Energy Solutions Supported in 112th Congress

Committee on Energy and Commerce website