Smith Applauds Lifting of Ban on Offshore Energy Exploration

Statement

Smith Applauds Lifting of Ban on Offshore Energy Exploration

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today released the following statement regarding President Bush's lifting of the 1990 executive ban on the exploration for oil and gas in the Outer Continental Shelf.

In order for the President's action to take effect, however, Congress must lift another prohibition on offshore exploration for development to occur.

"I applaud President Bush for lifting this prohibition. Unfortunately, Congress has not displayed a similar urgency to explore American sources of energy. Instead, we are going to see more of the same, with no relief in sight for American consumers," Smith said.

Smith, who supports offshore exploration, will be joined by several other Members touring the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, on Friday, July 18, where they will review emerging solar, wind, hydrogen, biomass, and fuel cell technologies representing the future of American energy. The group will then travel to Prudhoe Bay and Alaska's North Slope to tour potential drilling areas, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

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