Scalise Helps Secure American Energy Development

House Republicans get victory on offshore drilling debate

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise issued the following statement today after House Democrats dropped their effort to extend the current moratorium on energy leasing on most of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

“This is a proud victory for Louisiana and all Americans who want to remove our dependence on Middle Eastern oil. We know the oil and natural gas is there, but the liberals in Congress have been trying to lock it up at the demands of radical interest groups. Last night’s action shows that the liberal Democratic majority is on the wrong side of the issue and our fight is effective.”

On October 1, the current moratoria on energy leasing on most of the OCS and on oil shale leasing on federal lands will expire. Congressman Scalise has been a leader in the fight to lift the Congressional moratorium on the OCS. His bill, the GAS Act, would lift the drilling moratorium on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as well as increase exploration of alternative sources of energy such as oil shale and tar sands. Scalise’s bill will also increase the amount of revenue each state would get from offshore oil and gas activity. Louisiana has dedicated its revenue from offshore oil and gas activity to coastal restoration.

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Contact: Luke Bolar
202-226-4309