Watch video of Upton's House Floor remarks here
Less than two weeks before Independence Day, Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) today joined the House in passing a bipartisan package of domestic energy production bills that will help reduce energy costs of struggling Michigan families and small businesses, while also spurring job creation and economic growth through the increased production of American energy. The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act (H.R. 4480) passed the House by a vote of 248 to 163 and now awaits consideration in the Senate.
“The price of gasoline and the unemployment rate remain far too high, particularly for struggling Michigan families and small businesses,” said Upton. “It is long past time for Washington to give folks the relief and certainty they deserve. While the administration has given much lip service about lowering gas prices and increasing domestic energy production, 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. Today’s commonsense legislation takes the necessary steps to expand the production of affordable North American energy, while in the process supporting the creation of countless good-paying jobs.”
Among other things, H.R. 4480 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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by requiring an interagency assessment of the cumulative impact of EPA measures on gas prices, jobs, and the economy. 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 would also require any future drawdown of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to be accompanied by new federal energy leases. 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.
Bills Included in the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act:
Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012, H.R. 4480 (Rep. Cory Gardner, CO-4)
The Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012 (H.R. 4480) links tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to increasing energy production on federal lands. If the President releases oil from the SPR, the Administration will be required to develop a plan to lease more federal lands for exploration and production.
Gasoline Regulations Act of 2012, H.R. 4471 (Rep. Ed Whitfield, KY-1)
The Gasoline Regulations Act (H.R. 4471) would require an interagency committee to conduct a cumulative analysis on certain EPA rules and actions that impact the price of gasoline and diesel fuels. It will pause the implementation of the Tier 3 fuel standards, refinery New Source Performance Standards, and ozone standards until six months after the report is submitted to Congress, which should provide for a better understanding of the costs and consequences of these rules.
Planning for American Energy Act of 2012, H.R.4381 (Rep. Scott Tipton, CO-3)
The Planning for American Energy Act of 2012 (H.R. 4381) would require the Secretary of the Interior to establish an all-of-the-above energy program for federal lands by reviewing the nation’s energy needs and then establishing goals for federal land energy production to meet those needs from all energy sources, oil, natural gas, coal and renewables.
Providing Leasing Certainty for American Energy Act of 2012, H.R 4382 (Rep. Mike Coffman, CO-6)
The Providing Leasing Certainty for American Energy Act of 2012 (H.R. 4382) would: 1) require a minimum annual acreage leasing plan that makes available at least 25 percent of the lands open for leasing each year for which there is interest in development and 2) set firm timelines for the Secretary of the Interior to issue leases and adjudicate lease protests. It would also prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from withdrawing leases and adding additional lease stipulations after they have been sold.
Streamlining Permitting of American Energy Act of 2012, H.R. 4383 (Rep. Doug Lamborn, CO-5)
The Streamlining Permitting of American Energy Act (H.R. 4383) would ensure a reliable permitting process to increase American energy production. It would remove government roadblocks and bureaucratic red tape that hinder and delay American energy production and American job creation. It streamlines and reforms the process for energy permitting, once a lease is in hand, to encourage the timely development of our federal onshore oil, natural gas, and renewable resources.
National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act, H.R. 2150 (Rep. “Doc” Hastings, WA-4)
The National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act (H.R. 2150) will create new jobs, support current energy jobs in Alaska, expand American energy production and lower energy costs by ensuring that oil and natural gas resources in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA) are developed and transported in a timely, efficient manner.
BLM Live Internet Auctions Act, H.R. 2752 (Rep. Bill Johnson, OH-6)
The BLM Live Internet Auctions Act (H.R. 2752) gives the Secretary of the Interior the authority to conduct Internet-based auctions for onshore leases to ensure the best return to the Federal taxpayer, reduce fraud, and secure the leasing process.
