Stearns Offers Amendments With Bilirakis to the Energy Bill on OCS Inventory

STEARNS OFFERS AMENDMENTS WITH BILIRAKIS TO THE ENERGY BILL ON OCS INVENTORY

ONE AMENDMENT TO STRIKE THE INVENTORY LANGUAGE FROM BILL AND ONE TO ALLOW STATES TO OPT OUT OF INVENTORY

"I am concerned that a comprehensive inventory of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) on oil and natural gas resources could open the door to new offshore drilling," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL). "I join the Governor of Florida, the legislature, and the people of Florida in opposing any drilling offshore of our state. That is why I have joined my colleague Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) in offering these amendments." The Senate version of energy legislation includes a provision requiring this comprehensive inventory.

Stearns and Bilirakis were selected by the Speaker of the House to participate in the House and Senate conference on energy legislation. During the conference Stearns and Bilirakis offered two amendments to the energy legislation, one to strike the comprehensive inventory and one allowing states the opportunity to opt out of the comprehensive inventory. Both amendments were defeated during the conference by a vote of 11-8. "I am disappointed that the inventory will remain in the bill, but I believe our nation needs this energy bill to reduce our reliance on imported energy sources," added Stearns.

http://www.house.gov/stearns/PressReleases/PR2005Releases/pr-050726-OCS.html