Press Releases

Legislation to ease bureaucratic rules on exploration for American energy

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) today voted to support legislation to fight rising energy costs, H.R. 1230, the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act.

“Energy production offshore of the Commonwealth would create thousands of jobs while at the same time providing more supply to combat rising energy prices,” Wittman said. “As I fill up my gas tank during my frequent travels around the First District and up to Washington, D.C., I know that if I am feeling the pain of $4-a-gallon gas, struggling families are also feeling the pain at the pump and need relief. Through the lessons-learned from the Gulf’s Deepwater Horizon disaster, Virginia can lead the way with safe energy exploration. This is only one component of a much-needed comprehensive energy plan for America to also include nuclear power, alternative and renewable energy, in addition to fossil fuels. This will not only lower prices but create more certainty in our energy supply. This action today can provide a bridge to the future as our entrepreneurs, inventors and scientists continue to innovate more sustainable, clean energy sources and lead us into the energies of the future.”

The Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act would require the Obama Administration to move forward promptly to conduct offshore lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia that the Obama Administration has delayed or canceled.  Without action on this legislation, in 2011 there will be no offshore lease sales – the first time since 1958 – due to the Obama Administration’s actions.

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