Democrats Block Bill to
Supply U.S. with Oil
for Five Years without Imports
Senator John Ensign voted for a plan today to increase
domestic energy production, a move that would help alleviate prices at the pump.
“Conservation efforts and renewable energy are essential
components to any long-term energy plan,” said Ensign, who has led
recent efforts in Congress to encourage the development of renewable energy
and expand energy efficiency incentives. “But we also must increase supply to
help bring down prices at the pump, and we can do this with resources right here
in the United States.”
Today Ensign voted for the American Energy Production Act
of 2008 and, at a GOP leadership press conference, discussed how expanding our
domestic energy production would help lower gas prices. The legislation would
open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for exploration, tap into
supplies on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and develop oil shale resources.
If enacted, this bill would lead to the estimated
production of up to 24 billion barrels of oil. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats
voted against this plan, blocking its final passage.
“Congress needs to be serious about addressing our energy
concerns, and we need to enact the right policies today,” said Ensign. “Relying
on oil from hostile nations is not wise national security policy and it is not
sound economic policy. I’m disappointed in today’s vote because developing our
domestic resources will put us on a path toward long-term energy security.”
Additional information on the American Energy Production
Act of 2008:
·
Opens ANWR for oil exploration, which holds 10.4 billion barrels of
recoverable oil and would save the United States $40 billion annually, money now
spent buying oil overseas. If opening ANWR was not vetoed 13 years ago, one
million barrels of domestic oil would be flowing to consumers today.
·
Allows for leasing activities in the Pacific and Atlantic regions
of the OCS in order to tap into 14 billion barrels of known recoverable oil.
Development is at the discretion of coastal state governors and would be greater
than 50 miles offshore, well beyond visibility from land.
·
Develops 2 trillion barrels of oil shale that exist in Colorado,
Wyoming and Utah.
Ensign Votes Against Bloated Farm Bill
Millionaire Farmers
Harvesting Benefits from U.S. Treasury
Senator
John Ensign released the following statement after voting against a $300 billion
Farm Bill:
“I could
not support this bill because it spends too much money, increases the deficit
and expands government subsidies, many going to wealthy farmers.
“Families across the country are feeling a pinch at the grocery store checkout
line, which is why I’m disappointed with today’s vote. With crop prices
climbing, I find it both alarming and business-as-usual that Congress voted to
continue and even expand subsidies to the same farmers experiencing these record
crop prices.
“The
bottom line is that this Farm Bill produces nothing but more government reliance
at the expense of the American taxpayer.”
Ensign, Cantwell Renewable Energy Bill Passes
Senate
Breaking months of partisan gridlock, today Senators John
Ensign (R-NV) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) secured passage of their renewable
energy tax bill that keeps America on a path toward energy independence. Ensign
and Cantwell’s bill encourages the development of renewable energy; expands
energy efficiency in buildings, homes and appliances; and helps stimulate the
economy.
“I appreciate Senator Cantwell’s bipartisan efforts on this
important legislation,” said Ensign. “Passage of our amendment today moves us
one step closer to meeting the serious challenges we face in ensuring that
America can reduce its dangerous reliance on foreign sources of energy. Places
such as my home state of Nevada and many others across the country hold
tremendous potential for renewable energy.”
The Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act, authored by Ensign and
Cantwell, extends incentives to encourage renewable energy. Extending the
placed-in-service deadline through 2009 for the Production Tax Credit encourages
electricity production using renewable energy resources such as geothermal,
wind, biomass, hydropower facilities and much more. These renewable energy
plants will have valuable tax stability for 10 years. Extending the solar and
fuel cell Investment Tax Credit for eight years also encourages tremendous
development of these technologies.
“Today, we’re hostage to skyrocketing foreign energy
prices,” said Ensign. “That’s why it’s so important that our bill is signed
into law. Without action, key incentives expire, and much development toward
renewable energy will slow. In some instances, it could stop. We only have a
small window of time to provide the certainty needed to continue investing in,
producing and developing renewable energy.”
Studies have shown that the tax credits for renewable
energy projects would help create at least 120,000 employment opportunities and
bring almost $20 billion in economic investment into the country.
“Especially at a time when our economy is struggling, we
should not be increasing taxes to pay for these incentives,” said Ensign, whose
bill is supported by dozens of groups ranging from the Sierra Club to the
National Association of Manufacturers and passed the Senate 88 - 8. “These
incentives are necessary for our energy security and to help jumpstart our
economy.”
