Today, the House Natural Resources Committee approved three bills to expand American offshore and onshore energy production in order to help create new American jobs, lower energy prices, generate new revenue, and make America more energy secure. 

H.R. 2231, the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, was approved by the Committee by a vote of 23-18.  This bill, by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), would open new areas to offshore energy production, including areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, by requiring the Obama Administration to implement a new offshore lease plan that includes areas containing the greatest amount of oil and natural gas resources.  President Obama’s current lease plan keeps 85 percent of our offshore areas closed to energy production.  This bill would also establish fair, equitable revenue sharing for all coastal states and implement reforms to reorganize and strengthen Interior Department’s offshore agencies. 

H.R. 1964, the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act, was approved by the Committee by a bipartisan vote of 26-14.  This bill, sponsored by Chairman Hastings and Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Don Young (AK-At Large), ensures that oil and natural gas resources in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A) are developed in a timely and efficient manner.  In February, the Obama Administration finalized a plan to close half of the NPR-A to energy production.  This bill would require the Administration to implement a new plan and requires annual lease sales. 

“The Obama Administration has placed the majority of the Outer Continental Shelf off-limits and placed half of the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska off-limits.  By doing so it is blocking the creation of over a million new American jobs and forfeiting hundreds of millions of dollars in much needed revenue.  These bills will un-lock our American energy resources on federal lands and waters.  The Committee’s approval of these bills is a vital step toward helping to ensure our energy and economic security,” said Chairman Hastings. 

H.R. 1548, the Native American Energy Act, was approved by a bipartisan vote of 25-15. This legislation, by Subcommittee Chairman Young, streamlines burdensome and duplicative federal regulations that are standing in the way of increased tribal energy development on Indian lands. 

“I am pleased to see this legislation pass out of Committee today.  This bill comes in direct response from tribes across the United States who want to responsibly develop their natural resources on tribal lands, but time and time again run into burdensome rules and regulations put in place by the federal government. The Native American Energy Act will encourage much needed energy development in Indian Country, and be yet another step toward self-determination and business development benefitting Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations,” said Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Don Young (AK-At Large).