Energy | Congressman Ted Poe, Serving the 2nd District of Texas

Energy

I am committed to reducing the United States’ dependency on foreign sources of oil. We cannot rely on unstable regions in the world to supply our energy. Exploring domestic sources of energy will reduce our reliance and drive down our oil and gasoline prices at home. The United States should explore all alternatives to eliminate our foreign energy dependence. This includes developing wind, solar, nuclear, and other practical energy alternatives.

Prohibiting exploration of domestic sources of energy leaves the United States vulnerable to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) price fixing. OPEC’s control has led to a low supply and high prices of oil over the past few years.

I remain concerned about the volatile price of gasoline. In addition to OPEC’s price fixing controls, government regulation and taxes also increases gasoline prices. We have the technology to drill safely without environmental damage but despite the bans on drilling being lifted, excessive government regulation still prevents much of our Outer Continental Shelf from being explored. I also am concerned about the President's recent budget proposal which calls for an increase in taxes and elimination of various tax breaks on domestic oil and natural gas exploration. It is estimated these tax increases could raise the price of gasoline by $0.41/gallon. I will not support an energy bill that contains a tax increase.

I’ve introduced legislation this Congress to give more incentives to open up our Outer Continental Shelf for drilling. H.R. 1143, the DRILL NOW Act of 2009, eliminates the ability of the President to issue a moratorium on drilling except for national security purposes. It then allows coastal states to approve drilling off their costs and revenue share with the federal government. Under my bill, states would receive 40% of the revenue from drilling leases up to 50 miles from their shoreline. Current law does not allow for revenue sharing and requires all lease revenue be sent to the federal government. Allowing states to approve drilling off their immediate coasts and sharing in its revenue would create substantial income for states and its communities that could be used to fund education, healthcare, infrastructure, or other needed state projects.

Last Congress, I introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2007 Interior Appropriations bill, allowing for the expansion of domestic off-shore drilling to all of our coasts, including Florida and California. The House of Representatives defeated that amendment with a vote of 141-279. However, my amendment received more votes than any previous bill of its kind. In this day of ever increasing gasoline prices, we must permit off-shore drilling. I will continue to fight for drilling rights along more coasts.

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