Securing Our Energy Future

Now more than ever, the United States has to secure its energy independence for the future and reduce its dependence on foreign sources of oil. I strongly support domestic energy and oil production as a way to shore up our nation's energy and economic independence. By balancing our energy needs, our domestic resources and our environment, we can strike a balance in the United States to meet our needs with the resources we have here at home. We have a number of domestic energy resources we can expand and we should continue to make investments in natural gas, wind, solar and other alternative energy fuels to power Texas and the rest of the country. 

Texas and Energy Production

The 28th District of Texas is the 6th largest oil production district in Texas and is the 4th largest natural gas production district in the state. The 28th District of Texas includes a large portion of the Eagle Ford Shale reserves, one of the most productive natural gas fields in the country.   In 2012 alone, the Eagle Ford Shale created $61 million in economic impact and supporting 116,000 full-time jobs across South Texas in 2012, alone. With the Eagle Ford Shale being such an economic boon for South Texas, I have worked hard to promote energy independence as well as facilitate international trade.

In 2013, I partnered with Senator John Cornyn to create and now co-chair the new Shale Caucus. This was an effort to create a bi-partisan place to discuss issues regarding the region and how best to solve them

Important Legislation on Energy

112th Congress

Filed H.R. 1914: Gas Price Stabilization Act of 2011

• The Gas Price Stabilization Act directs the Secretary of Energy to publish a plan for the sale of prescribed amounts of light grade petroleum from the SPR and acquire an equivalent volume of heavy grade petroleum. 

Voted YES on H.R. 910 

• Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas (GHG) to address climate change. Excludes GHGs from the definition of "air pollutant" for purposes of addressing climate change.

Signed on August 1st letter to EPA on concerns of Clean Air Transport ruling. This EPA ruling would mean higher energy costs for all Texans. Because of this, Congressman Cuellar has been speaking with the administration about the impact of this flawed policy. 

Signed on July 19th letter to Boehner and Pelosi concerning the inclusion of oil and gas taxes as part of a larger debt ceiling deal.

Signed on July 13th letter to the CFTC, urging implementation of Dodd-Frank uphold Congressional intent and protect end-users from unnecessary new regulations.

Signed on June 27th letter to President Obama, outlining how natural gas serve at a bridge to energy independence.


111th Congress

Voted YES on of H.R. 6

• Designed to reduce our Nation's dependency on foreign oil by investing in clean, renewable, and alternative energy resources, promoting new emerging energy technologies, developing greater efficiency, and creating a Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewables Reserve to invest in alternative energy, and for other purposes.

Voted YES on H.R. 3221

• An Act moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure.

Voted YES on H.R. 6049

• Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and for other purposes.

110th Congress

Voted NO on H.R. 5351 

• This legislation singles out the oil and gas industry for punitive tax treatment. This change would discourage energy investment, result in the loss of jobs, and ultimately, decrease supply and increase energy costs for businesses that rely on oil and gas.

Voted NO on H.R. 2776 

• This energy tax package also unfairly and punitively singles out the oil and gas industry. The changes proposed by the bill amount to a modern-day version of the 1980-88 Windfall Profit tax, essentially an excise tax on each barrel of oil produced that resulted in reduced domestic oil production and a greater dependency on foreign imports prior to its 1988 repeal.

109th Congress

Voted YES on H.R. 5429 

• American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish, implement, and administer a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources on the Coastal Plain of Alaska.