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Congressman Stephen Fincher

Representing the 8th District of TENNESSEE

Energy

High gas prices affect everyone. Energy prices heavily influence the economy in West Tennessee, and it is important that we support a comprehensive approach to energy production. I could not disagree more with those that believe in a very narrow limiting energy policy. I will continue to support legislation that encourages domestic energy production, energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities.

I support the following legislation:

The Keystone XL Pipeline

The Keystone XL Pipeline would carry oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast, providing more natural gas for America’s energy needs and employing tens of thousands of people immediately. By rejecting the Keystone pipeline, President Obama has chosen a narrow energy policy and turned his back on jobs for unemployed Americans and ignored a way to take advantage of some of North America’s own energy supplies.

ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge)

I requested that the president begin oil drilling in a small portion of ANWR in 2011. Energy policies should not be this complicated. We need to drill here at home. By taking advantage of oil discoveries in the last few years, we can eliminate our dependence on foreign oils and keep energy prices low. ANWR consists of 19 million acres in northeast Alaska. Its 1.5-million-acre coastal plain is viewed by development proponents as a promising onshore oil prospect. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the mean estimate of technically recoverable oil from multiple prospects on the federally owned land in the Refuge is 7.7 billion barrels (billion bbl), and there is a small chance that more than 11.8 billion bbl could be recovered on the federal lands over the life of the prospective fields. 

H.R. 3548: North American Energy Access Act

Under H.R. 3548, President Obama would be cut out of the equation and the fate of the Keystone Pipeline would be left to expert individuals not influenced by special interest groups or re-election campaigns. As a co-sponsor and strong supporter of this bill, I am working with Congressman Lee Terry (R-Neb.) to see that we can bring the Keystone pipeline back to the table so that we can get more Americans back to work.

H.R. 3408: Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security Act (PIONEERS ACT)

The purpose of this legislation was to set clear rules for the development of United States oil shale resources, to promote shale technology research and development. This bill would help to ensure that states that have historically allowed offshore drilling would continue to be provided with a fair amount of the revenue derived from this exploration.

H.R. 2021: Jobs and Energy Permitting Act of 2011

This legislation would end Washington Bureaucratic red tape causing unnecessary permitting delays on offshore energy production opportunities. This bill would amend the Clean Air Act – which has created confusion and delayed oil exploration in the Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf – by shortening the EPA’s approval process for issuing air pollution permits for offshore oil and gas development.

H.R. 1231: Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act

As a co-sponsor this bill to lift the President’s ban on new offshore drilling by requiring the Administration to move forward on American energy production in areas containing the most oil and natural gas resources. More specifically, this legislation would require that each five-year offshore leasing plan includes lease sales in the areas containing the greatest known oil and natural gas reserves. According to the Congressional Budget Office, H.R. 1231 will generate $800 million in revenue over 10 years.

H.R. 1230: Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act

As a co-sponsor this bill that would expand American energy production and create jobs by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to conduct oil and natural gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia that have been delayed or cancelled by the Obama Administration. By developing five-year plans to determine where and when offshore leasing and energy production will occur, this legislation would reverse the Obama Administration’s actions and proceed with scheduled lease sales in a prompt, timely, and safe manner.

H.R. 1229: Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act

As a co-sponsor this bill which ends the Obama Administration’s de facto moratorium, in a safe, responsible, and transparent manner. This bill would put thousands of Americans back to work. It would increase American energy production to help address rising gasoline prices.

Energy: An All of the Above Approach

More on Energy

May 14, 2014 Press Release
U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.) and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today sent a letter to Bill Johnson, president and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, to raise questions about a proposal for the utility to purchase wind-generated electricity from Oklahoma.
Dec 20, 2013 Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Stephen Fincher (R-Frog Jump) today announced the details of his 2014 Washington D.C. Christmas Wish List, where each day he is posting on Facebook one of the 12 things he wishes to see accomplished in the New Year.
Aug 29, 2013 In The News
The Jackson Sun editorial board’s recent visit with Rep. Stephen Fincher, R-Frog Jump, offered insight into important issues as well as a look at our congressman’s understanding of the difficulty and complexity of his job in Washington.
Feb 26, 2013 In The News
Congressman Fincher Visits County — County to speak about agriculture issues, the second amendment, gay rights, the sequester, and the federal deficit. Speaking from the Carroll Bank and Trust Community Room in Huntingdon to about 60 attendees, many of whom identified themselves in the agriculture industry.
Feb 13, 2013 Press Release
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Stephen Fincher (R-Frog Jump), issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union address:
Dec 31, 2012 Opinion Pieces
This past week has been met with much reflection. I extend my most heart-felt thoughts and prayers to the families of those who lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook Elementary school shootings in Connecticut.
Dec 20, 2012 Weekly Updates
This past week has been met with much reflection. I extend my most heart-felt thoughts and prayers to the families of those who lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook Elementary school shootings in Connecticut. I have three young children, and it is hard for me to imagine something this horrific happening in our town. I hope you will join me in continuing to pray for the families who have lost loved ones. With 2012 wrapping up, it’s always good to take a quick snap shot at this year’s accomplishments.
Aug 29, 2012 In The News
U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher says he is reluctant to support the use of military force in Syria until the United States has more information. “We have to make sure before we go in that we know what we are doing and the consequences of all this long term,” he said. “I’m getting a lot of push-back from constituents. They are saying, ‘Stephen, we are war weary.’”
Mar 16, 2012 Weekly Updates
High gas prices are impacting everyone. With all our domestic energy resources and ingenuity we can make a difference in impacting our energy needs. I maintain a broad, all-of-the-above approach that takes all of our resources into consideration. I could not disagree more with those that believe in a very narrow and limiting energy policy. I will continue to support legislation that encourages domestic energy production, energy efficiency, and renewable energy opportunities.
Mar 16, 2012 Opinion Pieces
High gas prices are impacting everyone. With all our domestic energy resources and ingenuity we can make a difference in impacting our energy needs. I maintain a broad, all-of-the-above approach that takes all of our resources into consideration.