Fracking

Floor Speech

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2728, the Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act, is a commonsense bill that promotes energy independence, protects jobs, and preserves states' rights.

The 25th District of Texas contains the Barnett Shale, a major job creator, energy provider, and economic driver in the oil and gas industry. Reports this month showed that 825 out of the 1,762 active rigs in the United States are located throughout the State of Texas. That is almost half the Nation's active drilling rigs.

The shale oil boom in Texas contributes to our Nation's overall ability to cut reliance on foreign oil and get one step closer to energy independence. I will tell you one thing that can stop this progress dead in its tracks, however, and that is red tape and Federal bureaucracy.

For 60 years, States have regulated their own hydraulic fracturing operations, but the Obama administration is attempting to step in and add duplicative and costly regulations. For example, on average, it takes a State 30 days to approve permits for drilling. The Federal Government's Bureau of Land Management takes an average of 228 days.

Subjecting States to this is senseless, harmful, and unnecessary. H.R. 2728 will prevent this and many other destructive regulations from stifling energy production and job creation.

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