Energy

America needs a stable supply of reliable and affordable energy to keep our economy strong. We can achieve this with a comprehensive energy policy.  Congress and the federal government must focus on removing the unnecessary roadblocks to increase production, bring down prices, and create jobs. We will have to continue an all of the above approach to energy production to remain competitive in an ever increasing global marketplace. 

The success of Texas and America continues to depend on access to abundant, reliable, and affordable sources of energy.  An-all-of-the-above approach to energy will help ensure reliability and affordability that includes fossil fuels, renewable energy and nuclear energy.

America has proven domestic resources that are blocked from access thanks to an obstructionist federal government.  A prime example of this has been the Obama administration’s moratorium on drilling and the ongoing delays in issuing Gulf drilling permits. Offshore production is not just an energy security issue, but a jobs and economic issue at a time of record unemployment. As a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, I will be working to address these issues.

Olson is co-chair of the Congressional Refinery Caucus with Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA). Click here for more information.

Olson is also a member of the new House Energy Action Team (HEAT).  HEAT is a committed group of House members promoting Republican energy policies that will address rising energy prices, create thousands of good jobs and enhance our national security by promoting energy independence for America.  Click here to find out more.

H.R. 5505 - The Clean Air, Strong Economies (CASE) Act:

Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) and I introduced bipartisan legislation that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to include feasibility and economic impacts when issuing major rules. EPA has indicated they intend to propose a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone, from the current level of .75 down to as low as .60 parts per billion. These levels are so low that most of America - including most of our national parks - will be out of compliance. The Clean Air, Strong Economies (CASE) Act H.R. 5505, would require EPA to protect health AND consider feasibility when issuing rules under the Clean Air Act.

Letters of Support

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

Keystone XL Pipeline:

The Keystone XL pipeline, a proposed infrastructure project that would bring more North American oil to American refineries, remains a hotly debated topic in Washington. Despite all the noise, there is little denying that building the Keystone XL pipeline would create thousands of American jobs. Equally as important, the more than 800,000 barrels of oil a day the line would carry from producers in both Canada and wells in American states like North Dakota will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and improve our energy security. Despite these positives and agreements requiring safety systems above and beyond the usual rules for new pipelines, the northern leg of Keystone XL has experienced years of delay and further review by the Obama Administration- most recently over concerns with its route through Nebraska.

Now, the Nebraska environmental agency has concluded that a new pipeline route in Nebraska is safe and Nebraska’s governor has approved. Recent federal reviews have also found little in the way of new concerns. After four years and counting of exhaustive environmental study, the President should approve this pipeline to create American jobs.

·         The Keystone Pipeline would create 20,000 jobs

·         TransCanada estimates that it would spend $7 billion in the United States to build the Pipeline

·         The Pipeline would generate more than $20 billion in new spending for the U.S. economy

·         The Pipeline will have limited adverse environmental impacts

·         The longer we wait to approve the Pipeline, the more of an opportunity China has to out-compete the U.S. and gain access to Canada’s oil supply

·         Multiple Labor Unions have endorsed the project

·         70% of Americans support building the Pipeline

Olson Energy Op/Eds:

Why the RFS is wrong and solutions to help consumers until Congress can repeal it - Bay Area Citizen 6/17/13

Economic recovery through American energy development - The Hill 5/8/13

EPA manufacturing an energy crisis - The Hill 3/5/13 & Bay Area Citizen 3/7/13

Report on EPA and Range Resources omitted key facts - Houston Chronicle 1/22/13

GOP House agenda will help unleash Houston's potential - Houston Chronicle 04/25/12

Obama's misguided energy policy - The Hill 02/29/12

We need a domestic energy solution to reduce dependence on foreign oil - The Hill 02/08/12

Keystone Election Year Politics - The Hill 11/21/11

Energy production and economic recovery go hand in hand for US - The Hill 07/20/11

Cost of EPA rules will be extraordinarily high - The Hill 06/29/11

Oil and gas tax hikes would kill job expansion - Bay Area Citizen 05/05/11

America Can Achieve a Stable, Affordable Supply of Energy -  Pearland Journal  03/17/11

Texas, Congress Must Fight Over Greenhouse Gases - Fort Bend Sun 02/17/11

Reverse the Drilling Moratorium - The Hill 06/18/10

Energy Bills Supported by Rep. Olson:

1. H.R. 271: Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Olson, Pete [R-TX-22] (introduced 1/15/2013) Cosponsors: 5

2. H.R.621: Ensuring Affordable Energy Act

Sponsor: Rep Poe, Ted [R-TX-2] (introduced 2/12/2013)       Cosponsors: 17

3. H.R. 1097: Preserving Jobs in the Oilfield Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2] (introduced 3/12/2013)       Cosponsors: 29

4. H.R.3: Northern Route Approval Act

Sponsor: Rep Terry, Lee [R-NE-2] (introduced 3/15/2013)       Cosponsors: 134

5. H.R. 1461: Renewable Fuel Standard Elimination Act

Sponsor: Rep Goodlatte, Bob[R-VA-6] (introduced 4/10/2013)       Cosponsors: 15

6. H.R.1461: Renewable Fuel Standard Elimination Act

Sponsor: Rep Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6] (introduced 4/10/2013)       Cosponsors: 55

7. H.R.1587: Energy Infrastructure Improvement Act

Sponsor: Rep Marino, Tom [R-PA-10] (introduced 4/16/2013)       Cosponsors: 14

8. H.R.1900: Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act

Sponsor: Rep Pompeo, Mike [R-KS-4] (introduced 5/9/2013)       Cosponsors: 20

9. .R.1959: Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Olson, Pete [R-TX-22] (introduced 5/14/2013)       Cosponsors: 17

10. H.R.2218: Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1] (introduced 6/3/2013)       Cosponsors: 54

11. H.R.2445: CAFE Standards Repeal Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Williams, Roger [R-TX-25] (introduced 6/19/2013)       Cosponsors: 30

12. H.R.2771: Expedite Our Economy Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Poe, Ted [R-TX-2] (introduced 7/22/2013)       Cosponsors: 5

13. H.R.2823: To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Energy to conduct a fuel system requirements harmonization study, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Terry, Lee [R-NE-2] (introduced 7/25/2013)       Cosponsors: 4

Environment Bills Supported by Rep. Olson:

1. H.R.322: Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act

Sponsor: Rep Miller, Jeff [R-FL-1] (introduced 1/18/2013) Cosponsors: 71

2. H.R. 1149: Waterways Are Vital for the Economy, Energy, Efficiency, and Environment Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1] (introduced 3/14/2013)       Cosponsors: 7

3. H.R. 1219: To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide that each of the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have exclusive fishery management authority over reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico in waters that, on average, are 20 fathoms or less in depth, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Bonner, Jo [R-AL-1] (introduced 3/15/2013)       Cosponsors: 8

4. H.R. 1314: To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish a procedure for approval of certain settlements.

Sponsor: Rep Flores, Bill[R-TX-17] (introduced 3/21/2013)       Cosponsors: 5

5. H.R.2093: Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Murphy, Tim [R-PA-18] (introduced 5/22/2013)       Cosponsors: 46

6. H.R.3099: Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Conservation Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep Miller, Jeff [R-FL-1] (introduced 9/12/2013)       Cosponsors: 15

Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas) is a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee.