In the face of near-record gas prices, Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) today joined members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in passing bipartisan legislation to ease the costs at the pump for struggling families and businesses. The Gasoline Regulations Act of 2012 (H.R. 4471) requires an interagency assessment of the cumulative impacts of upcoming Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures that affect gas prices, jobs, and the economy. The Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012 (H.R. 4480) would require any future drawdown of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to be accompanied by new federal oil leases. H.R. 4471 and H.R. 4480 now await consideration before the full House.
“Michigan families and small businesses have struggled long enough without the added cost of even higher gas and energy prices – they are ready for commonsense solutions to ease the pain at the pump and get our economy moving again,” said Upton. “While the administration has given much lip service about lowering gas prices and increasing American energy production, their actions tell a much different story. The record speaks for itself: over the past three years, gas prices have nearly doubled while new federal energy leases have hit a standstill and a train wreck of new regulations has put an unbearable burden on U.S. manufacturers and energy producers. As an issue critical to jobs and the budgets of Michigan families, it is long past time for a renewed commitment to North American energy production and sensible regulation.”
H.R. 4471 seeks to lift the regulatory burden off of American manufacturers and energy producers who have been the target of costly new regulations proposed by the EPA. These upcoming measures include Tier 3 gasoline standards for motor vehicles and the imposition of new regulations on U.S. energy refineries.
H.R. 4480 addresses the administration’s reluctance to issue new federal energy leases, while at the same time tapping the SPR in an attempt to bring down gas prices. The ongoing moratorium on increased domestic energy production has been a major roadblock for states looking to create good-paying jobs and fortify the nation’s energy security.
Upton continues to help lead the way in the House for an “all of the above” energy policy that puts a premium on North American energy production – whether it is developing the vast resources we have here at home, promoting the advancement of safe nuclear, or harnessing alternative energy sources. Through the commitment to an “all of the above” energy policy, we can simultaneously create good-paying jobs, reduce our reliance on overseas energy suppliers, and keep energy costs low for Michigan families and small businesses.
