Lummis Statement On American Energy Freedom Day

Statement

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., released the following statement recognizing today as American Energy Freedom Day:

"Last year, Congress and the President both announced an end to the decades-long ban on offshore exploration on the outer continental shelf (OCS). Today marks the one-year anniversary of that historic decision. Unfortunately, instead of moving forward on that decision, with which a vast majority of Americans agree, the Obama Administration has decided to stifle domestic energy production.

"Last week, Secretary Salazar stated that expanded offshore drilling may not happen until 2012. With unemployment near 10 percent and the deficit topping $9.1 trillion, it's irresponsible for the Administration and Democrats in Congress to ignore the economic benefits that will come with American energy production. The Administration should not sit idly by while the American people are forced to use foreign energy resources as they work to put our economy back on track.

"Investing in American-made energy will create new jobs, stimulate our economy and decrease our dependence on foreign-controlled oil. According to a recent American Energy Alliance report, exploring for energy on the OCS would create 1.2 million good-paying jobs.

"I call on the Administration to quit their stalling and open up the OCS to energy exploration.
The American people have been forced to wait long enough for a comprehensive plan for energy independence. That is why I support an all-of-the-above energy plan, like the American Energy Act, that includes development of renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass, while also producing more American-made coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear."

Lummis' Plan to Create Jobs, Protect Environment, and Lower Energy Prices

• Encourage innovation within the energy market to create the renewable fuel options and energy careers of tomorrow;

• Promote greater conservation and efficiency by providing incentives for easing energy demand and creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment;

• Use new technologies and methods to dramatically expand the use of zero emission nuclear, as well as wind, solar and biofuels. This is in addition to innovations with the use of traditional energy sources such as oil, natural gas and coal; and,

• Increase domestic energy supplies by lifting restrictions on the Arctic Coastal Plain, the Outer Continental Shelf, and oil shale in the Mountain West.

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