By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R) from Montgomery issued a statement Thursday announcing that she had voted to support passage of the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act, H.R. 4480. The legislation is a bipartisan package of bills to encourage domestic energy production.
Congresswoman Roby said on the floor of the Congress. “Oil accounts for 37 percent of U.S. energy demand, with 71 percent directed to fuels that are used in transportation. Our energy policy is vitally important to our national and economic security. It is especially important to the mother who drives her children to school as it is to the business owner who operates a fleet of delivery vehicles. When the price of gasoline increases, Americans hurt. Last year alone, the price of gasoline increased 81 cents per gallon. That is why I do support an ‘all of the above’ approach to energy. This includes opening up new areas for American energy exploration, transitioning to renewable and alternative energy, and using more clean and reliable nuclear.”
Rep. Roby said, “The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act will enable job creators in the energy industry and increase domestic energy production here at home. The legislation that is before us today will turn the tide on this administration’s actions, or lack thereof, and allow our nation to move forward to our nation’s energy production thereby increasing jobs and bringing us closer to energy independence.”
Rep. Roby also criticized the Obama administration’s energy policies. “The Executive Branch is using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for political purposes, imposing over-burdensome regulations on refineries, and placing obstacles to increasing permitting and leasing on federal lands for gas and oil production. During this administration we have seen a drastic decrease of oil production on federally owned lands at a time with high gas prices. From 2010 to 2011, there has been a fourteen percent decrease.”
Rep. Roby is a member of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT). The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act is based on ideas developed by the HEAT team. The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R) from California.
Rep. McCarthy said, “Energy production on private and public lands is estimated to create 600,000 direct jobs, and its total economic effect could generate more than three million jobs. The fruits of this labor could significantly surpass the energy reserves of Saudi Arabia and even establish the United States as a net exporter of oil and gas. These opportunities however, are being stifled by drilling moratoriums and lease applications tangled in bureaucratic gridlock. Frustrated by the lack of cooperation from the federal government, energy companies are taking their infrastructure and jobs overseas. As a result, energy production on federal lands is down 14 percent since 2010.”
The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act passed the House Thursday 248-163. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate where dozens of other bills are awaiting action.
Congresswoman Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She is seeking her second term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
To see a video of Rep. Roby’s remarks:
http://roby.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=264577-37519779
