Gardner's "Jobs Energy and Permitting Act" has second hearing

WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Cory Gardner’s (R-CO) draft bill that would eliminate permitting delays for oil exploration and production off the coast of Alaska had its second draft hearing today, with a particular emphasis on how this legislation could help address rising gas prices.

“What I don’t understand is the lack of action being taken by the Administration on something that is so important to the American people and so vital to the strength of our economy in general,” Gardner said. “This bill doesn’t just relate to Alaska. It has to do with every American who is forced to suffer through the pain at the pump. Exploration in Alaska will generate federal revenue and create tens of thousands of jobs for the rest of the country, while lowering gas prices at the same time.”

Confusion and uncertainty surrounding the EPA’s decision-making process for air permits is delaying energy exploration in the Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) stalls permits that have already been granted by the EPA, sometimes for years. Gardner’s bill aims to remove the duplication created by the EPA and EAB permitting process. Rather than allowing the back and forth between the two, the EPA would be required to take a final action on all permits within six month of the request.

Mr. Lynn Westfall, executive vice president of Turner Mason and Company in Dallas, testified before the Energy and Power Subcommittee on Gardner’s bill, saying that oil from Alaska would speed up relief at the pump. “Instead of being able to rely on supplies only days away by ship, imports from areas such as the Middle East now take months to arrive and are not easily adaptable to respond to changes in demand or supply in the area,” Westfall testified. 

The purpose of today’s draft hearing was to perfect the language of a bill before its formal introduction, which is expected sometime after next week’s recess.  Click HEREfor witness testimony and other hearing materials on the Energy and Commerce website.