Luetkemeyer Backs Bill Boosting American Energy Resources to Combat Rising Gas Prices

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today voted in favor of boosting American energy production by supporting the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act that allows for increased domestic energy production.

"During the summer of 2008, gas prices rose to well over $4 per gallon. This should have been a wake up call for our nation to put in place a sustainable energy policy, one that developed our own abundant supplies of oil, coal and natural gas," Luetkemeyer said. "Instead, we allowed the environmental groups to continue to block our efforts, furthering our dependence on foreign energy sources and endangering our national security. This legislation is one of many steps we are taking to increase American energy production and help alleviate the pain at the pump."

The Obama administration's anti-energy policies are only adding to the economic burdens weighing on American families and small businesses. Under the president's watch, the cost of energy has skyrocketed. The national average price of gasoline was $1.84 when the president took office in 2009, and today the national average is $3.95.

The Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act requires the Interior Secretary to conduct oil and natural gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia, which have been delayed by the Obama administration. The administration blocked production of American energy resources when they halted the five-year plan (2007-2012) that determined when and where offshore energy production would occur. It is estimated that this legislation would generate $40 million in new revenue over the next decade, create nearly 2,000 American jobs, and produce more than half a billion barrels of oil and 2.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

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