Energy
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The issue of Energy is important to our district and to my work in Congress.
Western Pennsylvania is rich in natural resources. It’s time we fully realize her full potential. I am dedicated to further policies that will encourage the development and utilization of the Marcellus shale that is being developed here in Western Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth is in a great position to become a leader in the development of natural gas and coal. I believe that by working with emerging industries, like the shale industry, these new sources of energy can provide an invaluable source of energy and provide sustainable, high-quality, high paying jobs for years to come.
As Congress develops an energy policy, the policy should include an “all of the above”approach to solving our energy needs--a policy that encourages development and increases all forms of American energy. By developing energy domestically, we can decrease our addiction to foreign oil, spur job growth, and keep Americans’ hard earned tax dollars out of the hands of foreign dictators.
Everyone can agree that America’s energy challenges do not have a single solution. By incorporating the growing capacity of solar and wind power with hydro, clean coal, natural gas, nuclear, and oil, we can make environmentally responsible strides towards energy independence.
A brief summary of Rep. Kelly's support for a comprehensive domestic energy policy includes the following:
- SUPPORTED AN “ALL OF THE ABOVE” ENERGY STRATEGY. Rep. Kelly voted in favor of H.R. 4480, the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act, which would streamline and reform the process for energy permitting of federal onshore oil, natural gas, coal, and renewable resources. H.R. 4480 passed the house on June 21, 2012, by 248 - 163.
- SUPPORTED CONSTRUCTION OF THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE. Rep. Kelly voted in favor of H.R.1938, the North American-Made Energy Security Act, which directed the president to deny or approve the permit to construct the Keystone XL Energy Pipeline. The pipeline will create more than 20,000 jobs and transport up to 830,000 barrels of oil per day.
- SUPPORTED NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY. Rep. Kelly led a PA delegation letter to the president’s National Economic Council regarding the economic impact of natural gas development in PA. Rep. Kelly sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asking it to address many deficiencies in their study on the potential impact of fracking on water. Joined a PA delegation letter to the Army CORPS regarding the classification of wells in PA.
- voted to delay the job destroying utility mact rule. Rep. Kelly voted in favor of H.R. 2401 Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation (TRAIN) Act, which creates a Presidential committee to analyze and report on the impacts of EPA rules and actions concerning air, waste, water, and climate change. H.R. 2401 passed the House on September 23, 2011, by 249 – 169.
- SUPPORTED COAL INDUSTRY JOBS. Rep. Kelly cosponsored legislation and cosigned several letters in support of the beneficial reuse of coal ash in products like gypsum board and concrete. Rep. Kelly wrote a letter to President Obama encouraging him to include coal as part of his “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. Also, authored a letter to the EPA for clarification regarding PA DEP’s primacy over coal permitting.
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For more information concerning my work and views on the issue of Energy, please contact my Washington, DC office.
I look forward to your feedback.
Thank you.
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