Rep. Don Young Praises BLM Decision To Publish Draft Commercial Oil Shale Regulations

Press Release

The top Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee today praised the Bush Administration for taking a major step in the process of reducing America's dependence on foreign oil by publishing draft regulations toward the development of 800 billion barrels of oil shale for domestic production.

U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) said the Bureau of Land Management's publishing of proposed regulations to establish a commercial oil shale program is "a major step toward opening this important energy resource for domestic use."

"The holds more than 50 percent of the world's oil shale resources," Young said. " 's current energy crisis highlights the importance of developing this new resource to reduce our alarming dependence on foreign nations.

"However, despite the Bush Administration's important action on oil shale, we still have a major fight in Congress. Last year, Democrats in the House and Senate passed a rider in the appropriations process for a one year ban on allowing the Administration to move forward on the oil shale regulations.

"And just last month, Democrats in the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to kill a bill that would have lifted this ban and allowed the oil shale regulation process to proceed.

"I'm hopeful that the Majority will stop their opposition to the oil shale recovery and allow our nation to begin the research and development of this tremendous domestic energy resource.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/06/news/economy/birger_shale.fortune/?postversion=2008060617

"Republicans in Congress are working to develop all of 's domestic energy resources, as we fight to open the OCS, develop the billions of barrels of oil locked up in Alaska , and increase alternative and renewable energy resources. Today's action by the BLM gives another road to travel down in our effort to produce more domestic energy and lower gas prices for all Americans."

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