By Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD
Submitted exclusively to the HillBlog

In my hometown of Lafayette, LA, the price of a gallon of gas topped $4.01 today according to AAA.

Families in Southwest Louisiana are struggling, and the President took one small step today toward increasing our energy supply and lowing prices at the pump by lifting the executive moratorium on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy exploration.  The President demonstrated real leadership, and now Congress must follow to lift the Congressional moratorium.  Lifting the Executive ban puts even more pressure on Washington Democrats to follow his lead.

The OCS is one of the greatest potential sources of oil and gas yet to be explored because of the existing federal ban.  Both Congress and the President prohibited exploration off most of our nation’s coast in the 1980’s, but Louisiana allowed energy discovery.  Now, Louisiana ranks fourth in energy production, and money from the energy industry is rebuilding our coast to protect against another hurricane.

I and 93 of my colleagues recently sent a letter to the President urging him to lift the Executive ban.  We state in the letter:

“House Democrats choose to take our nation in a different direction.  Their strategy is simple: “Drive small cars and wait for the wind” (The Hill, July 8, 2008).  The American public deserves more and House Republicans have put forth a responsible energy plan that includes exploration of next generation oil, natural gas, and coal and the production of advanced alternative fuels like cellulosic ethanol from sugar and clean coal-to-liquids – all while protecting our natural resources for future generations. “

House Republicans advocate increased American energy production to lower prices at the pump, increase U.S. supply and decrease American dependence on foreign fuel sources.    We need increased production, conservation and new technology in order to meet the current U.S. energy crisis.

Unleashing American ingenuity and resources is the best way to bring down the price at the pump facing American families.