As a cosponsor of H.R. 4761, The Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act, which passed the House of Representatives in June by a 232-187 vote, I support lifting the ban on new offshore oil and natural gas drilling while also allowing most of the coastal states the choice to maintain coastline buffer zones along their shorelines.  Because of technological advances we have the ability to protect the environment while exploring for more traditional energy sources like coal, oil and natural gas. 

As part of a tax and trade package cleared on the final day of the session, Congress agreed to allow new offshore drilling but limited it to the Gulf of Mexico. The measure, which opens 8.3 million acres south of the Florida Panhandle to drilling while also creating a drilling-free buffer zone to protect Florida's west coast, is the only significant offshore drilling bill that was able to pass the Senate. Although not as expansive as H.R. 4761, S. 3711, The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, ultimately represents a carefully negotiated compromise and a landmark achievement for greater energy independence and security. At the same time, I recognize we must diversify our energy resources because no one energy source is the answer.  I have introduced legislation to promote energy efficiency measures and other renewable energy sources that would help reduce our reliance on foreign sources of oil.

Under S. 3711, 37.5 percent of the revenue from new leases in the Gulf Coast will go to Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi. Another 12.5 percent will go to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal fund for land and wildlife conservation that benefits hunters and fishermen. There are more folks with hunting and fishing licenses in Tennessee than there are people who vote.

Since the stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund program began in 1965, Tennessee has received 170 LWCF grants providing more than $67 million in federal funds for local and state recreation projects. LWCF stretches local matching dollars that fund the acquisition and development of parks, ball fields, trails and playgrounds across Tennessee. These parks and facilities are places where people come together for recreation, festivals, family reunions, and community functions in nearly every one of Tennessee�s 95 counties. Most local parks in Tennessee would not have been possible without LWCF money, and LWCF funds have been essential to the development and improvements for the majority of Tennessee State Parks.

The goals of a dynamic technology driven energy sector and improved environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive. We can effectively rise to the challenge and solve our nation's economic and political future by responsibly accessing domestic energy resources while rapidly advancing cleaner energy sources.