On Tuesday, September 16, I voted for a comprehensive energy measure that will lower costs to consumers and American taxpayers, invest in renewable energy sources to create American jobs, expand domestic energy supply and create greater energy efficiency and conservation. The bill will roll back tax breaks in a time of record oil company profits and require oil companies to pay royalties that they have avoided; invest in wind, solar and natural gas, 21st century energy sources to create millions of jobs; responsibly open up additional offshore areas for drilling with oil companies footing the bill instead of taxpayers; and release oil from the government’s stockpile to bring down gas prices. The bill passed in the House on a vote of 236 to 189.

This legislation is a clear change from the failed Bush Administration’s ‘drill only’ policies that have made our country more dependent on foreign oil as energy costs spiral and consumers and businesses suffer. We now have a clear choice: either side with American taxpayers and consumers, or with the oil industry.

I am not happy with permitting oil exploration off North Carolina’s coast, but the 26-year Congressional moratorium banning increased oil exploration on the United States outer-continental shelf will expire in two weeks. Should the ban expire, oil exploration could begin within sight of the beaches of North Carolina. North Carolina would gain little from the drilling and could easily lose our tourism industry if there was a spill.

While the bill is far from perfect, it is far better than doing nothing. I voted for the comprehensive energy bill to preserve as much protection as I could – oil exploration is still banned for the first 50 miles of the outer-continental shelf, and can only occur from 50 to 100 miles out if a state opts in and agrees to the exploration. Marine sanctuaries, our most precious natural resources, and naval training areas, critical to our national defense and readiness, are also off-limits for exploration. Only those areas of the outer-continental shelf 100 miles out and more are fully open to oil exploration.

Ultimately, I concluded that the Comprehensive American Energy Security & Consumer Protection Act provided that best outcome for the people of North Carolina and for our natural resources and businesses.