Senators Roll Out Energy Package

Press Release

U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., put their weight behind a new energy bill today that would decrease gas prices and provide more energy for Americans.

"This bill is not perfect because it doesn't recognize the important role that coal and nuclear power will play, but it will help make up for that lost time and put the country ahead of the game for future energy production," said Enzi. "We can still find more oil as we take steps to use less. We need more American oil from American soil."

"Harvesting American resources such as clean coal in an efficient and effective way, is the key to energy independence and energy security. When it comes to U.S. energy, diversity of supply is security of supply. As a matter of principle, it is time for Congress to step up and provide solutions, not just rhetoric," said Barrasso.

The bill would:

* allow deep sea exploration on the Atlantic and Pacific outer continental shelves that could produce 14 billion barrels of oil
* repeal moratorium on western oil shale exploration, opening up a potential 2 trillion barrels of oil
* offer loans to increase use of plug-in electric cars and trucks to use less gas

The Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 is co-sponsored by 42 senators. Enzi and Barrasso are working on other legislative options in the Senate to recognize coal production as a way to alleviate some of the energy needs of the country.

Source