Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1229, the Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act, with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 263-163. The Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to decide within thirty days whether to approve or deny an application for a permit in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, it would require a new permit before a lessee could drill any new well or drill any well that has a significantly different design. It would also require the Secretary of the Interior to ensure all critical safety system requirements, including oil spill response and containment plans, are met before issuing any permit.
"The only way we will ever become energy independent -- a goal I truly believe this country can achieve -- is if we take an all-of-the-above approach to energy production," stated Westmoreland. "The Obama Administration's constant assault on traditional forms of energy, including this de facto moratorium on offshore drilling, will only result in the United States depending more and more on foreign countries for oil. As this happens, we hand over more control of oil prices to foreign countries, not to mention the American money being sent overseas that could instead be injected into the American economy. In the Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act, we encourage the production of new sources of American energy and create jobs for Americans -- all while increasing safety and security measures to help prevent accidents like we saw in the Gulf last year."
After the accident in April off the coast of Alabama and Louisiana, the Obama Administration issued a moratorium on all shallow-water and deepwater drilling throughout the Gulf of Mexico. They officially lifted the moratorium in October 2010, but since have imposed a de facto moratorium by neither approving nor denying permit applications, and delaying the approval process for permits. Although the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana ordered the Obama Administration in February 2011 to begin reissuing permits, stating that the four to nine months the drilling company Ensco was being forced to wait was too long -- and even held the Department of the Interior in contempt of court for their "dismissive conduct' towards offshore drilling permits -- the delay for permits has continued. Since this de facto moratorium, only ten permits for deepwater drilling in the Gulf have been issued, and the second largest shallow-water drilling company in the United States has been forced to file for bankruptcy citing a lack of permits; all while American gas prices continue to increase.
"While President Obama is telling Brazilian oil companies the US wants to help them develop their oil reserves and become one of their "best customers,' American companies can't even get a yes or no answer on their drilling permits," stated Westmoreland. "How on earth is this the way to help the American economy and decrease gas prices that are currently crippling many American families? Simply put, it's not. But I guess Brazilian oil companies were sure glad to hear it."
H.R. 1229 is the second of three bills the House will be considering as part of the American Energy Initiative. The American Energy Initiative is an effort by House Republicans to lower rising gas prices and get America on the path towards energy independence. To learn more about the American Energy Initiative, visit http://naturalresources.house.gov/Issues/Issue/?IssueID=34108.