Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) this week co-sponsored three separate bills to expand offshore energy production in order to create jobs, lower energy costs, generate revenue to help pay down the national debt, and improve national security by lessening our dependence on foreign energy.

The bills are part of the House Republicans’American Energy Initiative.

As Chairman of the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee, Lamborn is expected to play a key role in helping to bring these bills to the House Floor.

Below are the three bills (click titles for more information).

H.R.1229, the Putting the Gulf Back to Work Act would end the Obama Administration’s de facto moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico in a safe, responsible, transparent manner by setting firm timelines for considering permits to drill, which provide certainty and allow employers and workers to get back on the job.

H.R.1230,the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act would require the Obama Administration to move forward promptly to conduct offshore lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia that the Obama Administration has delayed or canceled. Due to the Obama Administration’s actions, in 2011 there will be no offshore lease sales – the first time since 1958.

H.R.1231,the Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act would lift the President’s ban on new offshore drilling by requiring the Administration to move forward in the 2012-2017 lease plan with energy production in areas containing the most oil and natural gas resources.

“It’s time to put Americans back to work producing American energy. We have the people, we have the resources. We just need to get the government out of the way and allow our people to drill smart.

“These common sense bills will increase oil and gas permits in the Gulf of Mexico. They will require lease sales to be held that were canceled or delayed by the Obama Administration and direct production to occur in areas with the most oil and natural gas resources, as documented by seismic data.

“Yesterday the President attempted to lay out his energy plan, but it is based on the tried and failed ideas recycled from the Carter years. In contrast, I am supporting a drill smart plan. Rural and suburban Americans can easily drive more than 60 miles a day just getting to and from work. These high gasoline prices are breaking their budgets. Americans are demanding that Washington take steps to unleash our nation's vast energy resources.” –Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

Note:These are the first three of an array of energy bills that House Republicans will introduce as part of the American Energy Initiative. Lamborn and House Republicans have pledged not to introduce oversized, unwieldy bills and instead are advancing solutions through more targeted legislation. America needs an all-of-the-above energy approach. Congressman Lamborn is currently considering co-sponsoring future legislation focused on renewable energy, onshore production, hydropower, coal, and critical minerals that are vital to renewable energy and new technology.

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