Applauds Exclusion of Roan Plateau Provisions That Would Shut Down Needed Development in Colorado For the Nation

Today, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) denounced the latest efforts by House Democratic Leadership to discourage domestic energy production and dramatically increase energy costs for Americans.

Record-high prices at the pump and rising costs for home heating this winter have put a real strain on family budgets – giving this Congress a golden opportunity to help families deal with the cost crunch. But this “no energy” legislation does nothing of the sort. In fact, according to an independent study by CRA International, the scheme would “restrict the supply of energy available to the U.S. economy” and increase costs for a wide array of consumer goods and services.

“Since the Democrats have controlled Congress, there has been no comprehensive plan to reduce America’s dependency on foreign energy. Instead, we have seen bills that increase our reliance on foreign energy and if implemented, would drastically increase energy costs for consumers and businesses. This job-killing energy bill will only result in higher energy costs, cut domestic energy production, increase dependence on foreign energy sources, send thousands of American jobs overseas, and drain the wallets of our families. We need an energy bill that will encourage domestic energy production and protect American consumers and American jobs.” – Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

The CRA International study of the legislation also projects it would result in a net loss of 4.9 million American jobs by 2030, a $1,700 decrease in the average American household’s annual purchasing power, and a net loss of $1 trillion in U.S. economic output.

• The “no energy” bill doesn’t include anything to lower gas prices for American families;
• The “no energy” bill doesn’t include anything to help families deal with heating costs this winter; and
• The “no energy” bill doesn’t include anything to increase domestic energy production.

While this energy remains a far cry from any legislation that would address America’s energy needs, Congressman Lamborn fought as a member of the House Natural Resources Committee to help eliminate a number of provisions that would have been even more detrimental for American energy, our national economy, and Colorado.

Initial Provisions Lamborn Successfully Fought to Eliminate From the Energy Bill:

• The vast majority of the Rahall provisions—the anti-drilling provisions—have been removed from the Energy Bill. 
• There is a hold on the amendment that would allow the leasing of the US Naval Oil Shale Reserve land in Colorado’s Roan Plateau. For now this has been put to a stop.

The inclusion of any of these provisions would have devastated our energy economy. Yet, in its current state this bill is still unacceptable. In efforts to protect the energy economy and to look out for American families, Congressman Lamborn has worked diligently to stop counterproductive legislation. It is vital that an energy bill address the true energy demands facing our nation.

###