Rep. Calvert: California Should Not Be Precluded from Energy Exploration

Dear Friends,

            Many of you have probably read about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s ever-evolving “energy plan” that has yet to be formally unveiled.  In Pelosi’s first proposal, only four states on the East Coast – Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia – would have the option to produce energy off their coastlines.  Under the Speaker’s latest proposal, all coastal states will have the option to “opt-in” to offshore energy development.  However, there’s a catch – if states elect to allow offshore energy development, Speaker Pelosi’s plan would deny the state any share of the royalty revenues that are paid to the federal government.  Under current law, coastal states in the Gulf of Mexico receive up to 37.5% of the royalty revenues.

            In response to the speculation over Pelosi’s plan I wrote and circulated a letter, signed by 16 of my California Republican colleagues, urging the Speaker to allow all states to have the option for exploration and to allow states to keep a percentage of the royalty revenue.  To read the letter, click here.  I’ve also included an Associated Press story on the letter below.

As I’ve stated before, I strongly believe in an “all-of-the-above” solution to our energy situation which would include wind, solar, nuclear, and conservation as well as the development of our own natural gas and oil reserves. 

Sincerely,

KEN CALVERT

Member of Congress

CA Offshore Drilling; All but 2 Calif. House Republicans write in support of drilling off state's coast

11 September 2008
10:04 pm GMT
Associated Press Newswires (APHO)

WASHINGTON (AP) - Seventeen of California's 19 House Republicans have signed a letter supporting drilling off the state's coast.

They sent the letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco on Thursday as House Democrats assemble an energy package that would allow offshore drilling if states opt in.

The lawmakers, led by Ken Calvert of Corona, focus on revenue drilling could generate for the state if California opts in and if states are given a cut of the royalties -- something the Democrats' package doesn't currently envision.

Pelosi opposes drilling off the coast of California, as does Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The two Republican House members who didn't sign were Mary Bono Mack of Palm Springs and Brian Bilbray of Carlsbad.