For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Contact: Justin Williams, (202) 465-8464, jwilliams@nullnoia.org
Oil and Natural Gas Bans Only Outsource American Energy Production
Washington, D.C. - NOIA President Erik G. Milito issued the following statement regarding the American Public Lands & Waters Climate Solution Act introduced by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva today:
“The American Public Lands & Waters Climate Solution Act is another attempt to slip Green New Deal inspired legislation through the House. A ban, even temporary, on new oil and natural gas leasing on Federal lands and waters does not stop the world from needing or producing energy – it only stops new American production. Countries like Russia and Iran will be more than happy to make up the difference in energy production.
“From increasing dependency on foreign energy to lowering Federal revenues, to jeopardizing programs like the Land & Water Conservation Fund, to decimating the hundreds of thousands of jobs that depend on a healthy Gulf of Mexico energy industry, there is no shortage of reasons as to why Congress should reject this bill.
“American innovation successfully balances environmental stewardship and energy leadership. Oil and natural gas provide the foundational energy that underpins the American economy and lifts society through prosperity and a high quality of life. If policymakers really wanted to spur energy leadership while protecting the environment, they would instead find ways to increase U.S. oil and natural gas production, and offshore energy development in particular.”
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