WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the passage of a Continuing Resolution to fund the government that removes moratoria on offshore drilling and oil shale development:

 

            “For years, the appropriations process has been used to lock up America’s resources by placing a moratorium on offshore drilling.  Last year, Democrats choose to add oil shale to the list of resources that were off limits. 

 

            “Several months ago, I introduced legislation to end these damaging policies once and for all.  Since that time, Republicans have fought hard to remove those moratoria and allow our nation to take advantage of its own resources in order to lessen our dependence on foreign oil.  As we began to tell the American people about how Democrats sought to prevent them from using the oil, gas, and shale that they owned, they became more and more outraged.   

 

            “After months of maneuvers and dodging on this issue, the Democrats’ leadership has finally realized that the people have had enough.  The continuing resolution we just passed will be the first appropriations bill in 26 years that does not prevent us from offshore drilling.  Earlier this week, the Senate also defeated an attempt to place a moratorium on issuing regulations for oil shale development.

 

            “These are great victories for the American people and those of us who seek to end our reliance on foreign oil.  But they will be short-lived victories if the next Congress and next President seek to once again block these resources.  Although I will not be in the Senate next year for those fights, like many other citizens, I will be watching carefully.”

 

 

           

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