Hoekstra Votes to Increase America's Oil Supply

Hoekstra Votes to Increase America's Oil Supply

Legislation would Allow for Clean Energy Production in ANWR

U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, today voted to open 2,000 of the 19.6 million acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to environmentally safe oil and gas exploration using 21st Century technology.

"American oil production is now safer and cleaner than ever," Hoekstra said. "Producing more American energy while protecting the environment will diversify our supply and help to stabilize prices in the short term as we transition to alternative and technologically advanced sources for the future."

The House passed the American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act (H.R. 5429) by a vote of 225 to 201.

At peak production, energy development in ANWR's northern coastal plain could deliver an additional 1.5 million barrels of oil per day for 30 years, according to the Energy Information Administration. The estimated supply is nearly equal to the amount of oil America imports from Saudi Arabia every day.

The plan could also create as many as 1 million new jobs in the United States, according to the National Defense Council Foundation.

"Depending upon foreign sources of energy to meet America's energy needs threatens both our national and economic security," Hoekstra said. "Producing clean energy within the United States will help to reduce our dependence on energy imported from countries with hostile governments."

http://hoekstra.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=44351