Issue Position: Energy Independence

Issue Position

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 Eagle Ford Shale legislative caucus. This was an effort to create a bi-partisan place to discuss issues regarding the region and how best to solve them

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