Gerlach Says President's Decision To Allow Some New Offshore Energy Production A Small, Encouraging Step

Press Release

Gerlach Says President's Decision To Allow Some New Offshore Energy Production A Small, Encouraging Step

Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) said Wednesday that the White House's decision to increase domestic energy production miles off the East Coast and in portions of the Gulf of Mexico is a small, positive step toward making our country more energy independent. However, the Congressman added that the President's proposal still leaves the entire Pacific Coast and vast portions off the Alaskan Coast and Gulf of Mexico under an unreasonable moratorium on energy exploration while delaying offshore production until at least 2012.

"If we can engage in responsible offshore energy production miles off the Mid-Atlantic Coast, there's no reason we cannot do the same thing off of the Pacific Coast," Gerlach said. "Increasing energy produced right here in America is critical to creating jobs and helping our country recover from a recession. We must continue working diligently on an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes domestic oil production, Marcellus Shale development, nuclear, wind, solar and other renewable energy sources. The goal is simple: making sure the health of our economy and the security of our nation are no longer tied to the price of a barrel of oil or dictated by the whims of foreign oil cartels."

Congressman Gerlach supports responsible development of American sources of energy on the Outer Continental Shelf. He is a co-sponsor of H.R. 2227 -- the proposed American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act. This comprehensive energy legislation would help America move closer to energy independence by expediting Outer Continental Shelf energy leases. The legislation also includes common-sense measures to conserve energy, promote innovation, and make our air, water and land cleaner.

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