INHOFE-BOREN-FALLIN-COLE -SULLIVAN -LUCAS SAY NO TO TERRORISTS COMING TO OKLAHOMA Inhofe-Boren-Henry Working Together To Resolve Tar Creek Concern Quickly Inhofe Votes to Confirm Clinton as Secretary of State March for Life: Inhofe YouTube Video INHOFE/BOREN RE-INTRODUCE MARGINAL WELL PRODUCTION PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT ACT Inhofe Introduces Beneficial Energy Legislation Inhofe/Boren/Coburn Introduce Important Tax Legislation for Oklahoma In the News...Unbelievable (Tulsa World Editorial) In the News...Inhofe in Enid (Enid News) Enid McAlester Oklahoma City Tulsa Washington |
INHOFE-BOREN-FALLIN-COLE -SULLIVAN -LUCAS SAY NO TO TERRORISTS COMING TO OKLAHOMA
Senator Jim Inhofe, a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Mary Fallin (R-Okla.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), and Rep John Sullivan (R-Okla.) joined together on Friday in a united front to express outrage at President Obama’s decision to shut down Guantanamo Bay, possibly leading to terrorists coming to Oklahoma. Congressman Cole: "I will oppose any efforts to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees into our state and other American communities. Moving dangerous terrorists closer to home threatens the safety of our citizens and undermines the security of our military posts. Many of these detainees have committed dangerous acts against Americans and it gravely concerns me that others are considering transporting them into our country. I believe the President made a mistake by announcing the closure of Guantanamo Bay before providing a plan that details what will be done with the detainees."
Congresswoman Fallin: “Oklahomans had a very personal and tragic confrontation with terrorism in 1995 that killed 168 of our friends and neighbors and we frankly do not want our soil polluted by these terrorists. I question the decision of the new administration in announcing the closing of Guantanamo Bay without a viable plan in place, and I will do all I can to make sure that if President Obama persists in this policy that none of the terrorists will be housed in our state, even for one night.” Congressman Lucas: “I am disappointed by President Obama's decision to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. His poor choice has made this country less safe for each and every Oklahoman. I will work closely with the other members of our delegation to ensure that we don't expose our country to another tragedy like September 11th.” Inhofe-Boren-Henry Working Together To Resolve Tar Creek Concern QuicklySenator Inhofe, Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.), a Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, welcomed news of developments on Friday from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Housing and Urban Development Administration (HUD) working to immediately address the concerns of Governor Henry and Senator Inhofe regarding news that children were moving back into the Tar Creek area. Senator Inhofe said Friday afternoon, “After expressing my concerns to the federal agencies involved in Tar Creek over the issue of people moving back into the area, I am pleased to see the EPA and HUD quickly coordinating their efforts. Governor Henry, Congressman Boren, and I have long worked to bring relief to the residents in the Tar Creek area and we remain committed towards its final clean up. Just as we have worked to bring state and federal agencies together on this in the past, we will do so again this time.” Congressman Boren said: “I am pleased these federal agencies have investigated this matter, and they are moving toward a resolution as quickly as possible. I am in full agreement with both Governor Henry and Senator Inhofe that children should have never been allowed back into this area. My office stands ready to work with Senator Inhofe, Governor Henry, and federal officials to determine the best possible solution to this issue.” On Thursday, the Tulsa World reported that "Federal funds are being used to move families with children into a Superfund site at the same time the federal government is spending millions of dollars to move families out of harm's way." Upon learning of this development, Senator Inhofe issued the following statement, "From my position as Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I have secured millions of dollars and worked with Governor Henry to relocate the residents and clean up Tar Creek, and the finish line is finally in sight. Our primary responsibility all along has been to get these people out of harm's way. For the local housing authority to put them – especially children - back in jeopardy is absolutely outrageous and dangerous. There is absolutely no justification for sacrificing the safety of these children. “I absolutely agree with the Governor and will be working closely with him to reverse this trend and continue on with the important work at the Tar Creek Superfund Site.” To keep up to date with the latest developments, visit Senator Inhofe's blog at www.inhofe.senate.gov/. Inhofe Votes to Confirm Clinton as Secretary of StateOn Wednesday, Senator Inhofe voted to confirm Sen. Hillary Clinton as the U.S. Secretary of State and issued this statement:
“Today in voting to confirm Senator Clinton as Secretary of State, I voted for someone who is well qualified and someone I know I can work with on a range of issues,” Senator Inhofe said. “To be certain, there are many areas where Senator Clinton and I disagree. However, I appreciate her recognition of the need to combat al Qaeda's efforts to seek safe havens in failed states in the Horn of Africa, which is something I have worked to accomplish through my many trips to Africa and my legislation to establish global partnerships. I strongly agree with her support of Israel’s right to defend itself. Finally, I appreciate her challenge to Iran to end its nuclear weapons program, and her pledge to work to end Iran’s and Syria’s dangerous behavior so that they instead become constructive actors in the Middle East. Diplomacy has a crucial role, but I also trust and will ensure that where stronger efforts need to be made, U.S. foreign policy will include the strong arm of military where diplomacy fails. “Furthermore, Senator Clinton has demonstrated a willingness to work across the aisle, as we have worked together on legislation through our positions the Senate Armed Services Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee. March for Life: Inhofe YouTube VideoWatch YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/JimInhofePressOffice Senator Inhofe spoke out in support of those who gathered in Washington on Thursday for the March for Life rally in a YouTube video this week. Senator Inhofe said in the video clip:
Today, hundreds of thousands of people will take to the streets of Washington, DC for the March for Life, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court in 1973. Thousands more will participate in a virtual march online. To each and every one of you, let me say thank you for your time and efforts.
To my fellow pro-lifers who are demonstrating today at the U.S. Supreme Court, you are the people who in these challenging times have a message of hope, redemption, and life. With strength and fortitude you have spoken up for those who cannot speak for themselves. You have shown that every child is a blessing, not a punishment; a gift, not a burden. So, while you spread your message of life across the country, I will join you by spreading the message of life here in the U.S. Senate. Together, it is our duty and responsibility to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and proclaim that all people in all stages of life have their God-given right to life. Let us not grow weary but press forward in our untiring dedication to protect the right to life of the unborn. Let us show the world that we are a country that protects and honors life. Related: Grace at Work - Inhofe’s adopted grandchild: a special place in his heart (Tulsa World) by: WAYNE GREENE Editorial WriterSunday, December 21, 200812/21/2008 3:26:28 AM If you want to see a different side of Jim Inhofe, ask him about Zegita. Zegita is Inhofe's 7-year-old granddaughter. Inhofe loves all 12 of his grandchildren, but Zegita has a very special story, and it's clear when he speaks of her that there's something more in his relationship with her. She is his adopted grandchild, his genius grandchild, his African grandchild, a wonder in the way she joined the family and in everything she has achieved since. In 2001, one of Inhofe's daughters, Molly Rapert, and her husband Jimmy, decided they wanted to adopt a daughter. They had three sons. Rapert says she speaks openly of her daughter's life because adoption is such an important issue to her. For various reasons, the Raperts decided that an international adoption was the best choice for their family, and Inhofe's years of work on the behalf of Africa led them to consider adopting a child there. And then the politics of the situation occurred to them. Imagine the image of the conservative southern white U.S. senator and his black granddaughter. T hey called Inhofe to talk about it. "His first words to me were 'This is absolutely the right thing to do,' " Rapert said. He introduced her to Tekle Selassie, a Christian living in Ethiopia and working to improve conditions there. Not long later, Selassie e-mailed her that he had found a child in a local orphanage that he thought would work for them. They said yes, sight unseen. At the age of 3 days Zegita had been abandoned in an impoverished Addis Ababa neighborhood. A social worker found her in a dirt alley and took her to a local orphanage, where she was slowly brought back to health with an intravenous feeding tube that went into her scalp. There were 42 children and four beds at the orphanage. The other children were kept in buckets. They got one bottle of milk a day. The healthy children were also given an avocado. When the Raperts first saw their daughter she was 7 months old. She weighed 11 pounds. Selassie helped them through the Ethiopian immigration bureaucracy. At a key point, in the office of an Ethiopian immigration official, he was asked if the child would be raised as a Christian. He knew that if he answered yes, it could slow or kill the adoption, but he answered truthfully. The adoption official asked him if he believed in Jesus, and again, he took the risk and said that he did. She looked both ways, opened a drawer, pulled out a Bible and asked if he would pray with her. He did. Rapert says she sees nothing less than grace at work in the adoption. "God's hand was at work. We see it at every step in the process," she said. Inhofe visited the Tulsa World editorial board earlier this month, and he talked about what you would expect: the president-elect, the auto bailout, his recent trip to Afghanistan — important issues of public policy all. Then he mentioned Zegita — Z girl as he calls her, as he is "Popi" to her — and a different aura filled him. He pulled out his BlackBerry and started reading year-old e-mails from Rapert and telling his own Zegita stories. He talks about her standardized test scores. She's reading above the seventh grade level. He tells the story of his family finding her in the Ethiopian orphanage where she slept in a bucket. Do you have time to look at some pictures? Here she is at the National Prayer Breakfast, where her speech was a big hit. She's been invited back again next year. "For real," Inhofe said, grinning and nodding his head with the certainty of a grandpa. "She is a genius." In the world of politics, Jim Inhofe is as aggressive as any person you'll ever meet. He ardently believes in what he stands for, and won't back down from a fight. Oppose him and you better be ready to rumble. But, when the topic turns to Zegita, you see a different side. A trite tale? Sure. Everyone loves their grandchildren, don't they? All grandpas think their little ones are special, geniuses all. But that's a bit of what's special about seeing Inhofe talk about Zegita. It's in those moments that you realize that the partisan street fighter image is just that, image. Inside, he's really just Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma grandfather. INHOFE/BOREN RE-INTRODUCE MARGINAL WELL PRODUCTION PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT ACT
Senator Inhofe, Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, this week introduced with Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.), a Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act. This bipartisan and bicameral bill ensures that the nation’s policies recognize and reflect the economic importance of marginal well production. The average marginal well produces less than 2.2 barrels of oil per day.
Boren: “I’m proud to join Senator Jim Inhofe in reintroducing the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act. Even though energy prices have fallen recently, we cannot let that deter us from enacting sound energy policy that increases our domestic energy supply and helps reduce our dependence on foreign energy,” Congressman Boren said. “Congress must ensure that we are taking full advantage of every option available to us. This bill achieves these goals by prolonging and enhancing production from marginal wells. Producers who operate marginal wells are smaller, independent operations that infuse our local and state economy with job creation and additional revenue. This legislation ensures that our government’s policies recognize the economic importance and energy contribution of marginal well production.” Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association: “The Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association appreciates the bipartisan leadership of Senator Inhofe and Congressman Boren as they work to make America more energy secure,” said OIPA Chairman John Pilkington. “By fixing the marginal well percentage depletion rate at 27.5 percent, eliminating the net income limitation for percentage depletion, allowing the accelerated depreciation of tertiary injectant properties, and providing common-sense regulatory relief, this bill would help independent producers more effectively meet the demands of operating marginal wells and enhance producers’ ability to develop new domestic crude oil and natural gas resources.” National Stripper Well Association: “The National Stripper Well Association would like to thank Congressman Boren and Senator Inhofe for sponsoring the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act,” said NSWA Chairman Dewey Bartlett Jr. “America’s marginal wells collectively produce half as much oil as America imports from Saudi Arabia each year and are an important part of the domestic energy security equation. We hope Congress will consider this bipartisan bill as part of a comprehensive solution to our nation’s energy supply challenges.” Oklahoma Commission on Marginally Producing Oil and Gas Wells: “The State of Oklahoma Commission on Marginally Producing Oil and Gas Wells would like to express its appreciation on behalf of Oklahoma marginal oil and gas well operators to Senator Inhofe and Congressman Boren for their bipartisan leadership as they work to make America less dependent on foreign oil and improve national security,” said Marginal Well Commission Executive Director James M. Revard. “At this critical time, this bill will help the independent producer more effectively meet growing market demands while operating in a cost-effective manner. This bill will allow operators to offset the rising cost of operations while making it possible to reinvest in new development of domestic oil and gas.” Independent Petroleum Association of America: “With approximately 20 percent of American oil production and 10 percent of American natural gas production coming from marginal wells, they are America’s true strategic petroleum reserve. However, they remain America’s most vulnerable production assets faced with the highest operating costs. This legislation is designed to encourage and protect continuing operation these essential American resources,” said Barry Russell, President and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Association of Energy Service Companies: Charlie Swift, President of the Association of Energy Service Companies, said, “On behalf of the Association of Energy Service Companies, I would like to extend my support to the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act introduced by Senator Inhofe and Representative Boren. Marginal wells are a vital resource to our domestic oil and gas industry, and I applaud these Congressmen for recognizing their importance and working to promote their use." About the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act: Increases the Percentage Depletion Rate for Marginal Wells Similar to depreciation, percentage depletion is an important financial tool for independent producers who operate high cost, low production yield oil and natural gas wells. The Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act would increase the percentage depletion allowance for marginal wells from 15 percent to the historical rate of 27.5 percent exclusive of daily production levels. This provision is not available for integrated major oil companies. Eliminates Net Income Limitation on Percentage Depletion The net income limitation on percentage depletion prohibits taxpayer use of percentage depletion when it would exceed the net income from an individual property. Congress has recognized that the net income limitation discourages investment to maintain marginal wells and instead encourages producers to plug wells. Therefore, beginning in 1998, Congress has temporarily suspended the net-income limitation on a recurring basis. The current suspension expired in 2007. The Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act would continue this policy by permanently eliminating the net income limitation. This provision is not available for integrated major oil companies. Oil and Gas Wells and Pipeline Facilities Technical Amendment The Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7412(n)(4)(A)) prevents the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from aggregating emissions from exploration and production equipment, pipeline compressors, and pump stations for purposes of the Act’s Hazardous Air Pollutants, Section 112. This bill would make clear the intent of Congress to not aggregate emissions from these individual sources, precluding unrealistic and unnecessary regulation of marginal well properties. National Response System The Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to define produced water tanks as water treatment facilities to the same extent as are similar facilities in other industrial sectors. It also would provide regulatory relief for small facilities with oil storage capacities of less than 50,000 gallons at which no single tank has a capacity of greater than 21,000 gallons. Since marginal wells provide minimal risk to the environment as compared to larger bulk crude oil storage facilities and refineries that have high throughput and large single tank storage volumes, a more streamlined plan and relief from requirements are needed. Accelerated Depreciation of Tertiary Injectant Properties Tertiary injectants are typically fluids or gases injected into crude oil and natural gas reservoirs to stimulate oil and gas flow left behind after primary and secondary pumping and water flooding techniques. Tertiary injectant properties and pipelines are typically classified as 7-year properties for purposes of depreciation. This bill would classify qualified tertiary injectant properties and pipelines as 3-year properties for purposes of depreciation. Related Links: The Oklahoman: Marginal Wells Bill Makes Sense (Inhofe/Boren Op/Ed) Inhofe/Boren Introduce Bi-Partisan “Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act” Inhofe Introduces Beneficial Energy LegislationThis week, Senator Inhofe also re-introduced his legislation to repeal Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and was joined by Senator Coburn as a co-sponsor. Senator Inhofe also introduced legislation to accelerate the phase-in for the domestic manufacturing deduction and allow domestic oil and gas companies to take advantage of this important tax benefit, which is designed to preserve and promote domestic job creation. Inhofe/Boren/Coburn Introduce Important Tax Legislation for Oklahoma
Senator Inhofe, joined by Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) in the Senate and Congressman Dan Boren (D-Okla.) in the House of Representatives, introduced two pieces of tax legislation on Wednesday vital to Oklahoma’s economy. Their first bill would eliminate the net income limitation on percentage depletion allowance for marginal wells. Senator Inhofe, along with Senator Coburn, also introduced a second tax bill that would permanently extend accelerated depreciation on Indian Lands, companion legislation to a bill Representatives Dan Boren and John Sullivan (R-Okla.) introduced in the House last week (HR 474). Each year, including late last year, Congress passes a one-year extension of both tax provisions in a tax extender package. Their legislation makes both beneficial tax provisions permanent. Congressman Boren: “One of the best ways to stimulate the economy and to grow Main Street is to provide our local, small businesses with direct and sustained tax relief that they can depend on from one year to the next. Successful business owners plan several years in advance and must prepare their business models for any number of issues that can confront our global, national, state, and local economies,” Congressman Boren said. “By making these tax incentives permanent, we can give thousands of Oklahoma’s small business owners and independent energy producers an important tool they can count on for many years to come. I have worked closely with Senator Inhofe, the entire Oklahoma delegation, and Congressional leadership to ensure these provisions are extended each year. I will continue to fight alongside my Oklahoma colleagues to make sure they are made permanent.”
Dr. Coburn: “I am pleased to join my colleagues in reintroducing these important bills. It is my hope that Congress will consider both bills quickly because they will play an important role in growing our economy and creating jobs, which we need now more than ever.” Related Links: Inhofe Successful in Ensuring Key Oklahoma Priorities Included In Tax Bill Tulsa World: Tax Provisions RenewedJournal Record: Smaller oil, gas producers could receive tax relief The Oklahoman: Privately owned marginal oil wells pumping out cash for Oklahomans Senator Inhofe’s Record of Support for the Extension of Expiring Tax Relief Important to Oklahoma In the News...Unbelievable (Tulsa World Editorial)Tulsa World
Editorial: Unbelievable
Talk about the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing: We've got a perfect example of that going on in the Tar Creek Superfund site. And this latest outrage is precisely the reason so many people have so little respect for government programs. In the News...Inhofe in Enid (Enid News)Enid News Obama earns respect from Sen. Inhofe
By Cindy Allen Managing Editor
President Barack Obama has been in office less than a week, but he’s already earned some respect from one of the most conservative members of the U.S. Senate. |