Tierney supports energy legislation to reduce excessive oil drilling

PEABODY – A bill passed by the House and supported by U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney would require that oil companies “use or lose” the 68 million acres of federal lands already under their control.The oil industry has been muscling Congress to authorize additional federal lands be opened to drilling, but remains unwilling to relinquish the rights to leased lands as yet unexplored as potential petroleum sources.Tierney, a Salem Democrat and member of the Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, said the “use or lose” provision was included in the bill as a way of getting oil and gas companies to develop the millions of acres currently under lease before additional public lands are made available.”I believe that the oil and gas companies should develop the millions of acres currently under lease,” he said, noting he and other Congressional colleagues support a continuation of the complete moratorium on drilling.Tierney said President Bush has reversed decades of bi-partisan protection for offshore areas, which will have no protection as of Sept. 30. Unbridled offshore drilling poses a threat to fishing, tourism and conservation efforts.The House bill, entitled the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act or H-6899, is designed to lower consumer costs, promote investment in renewable energy sources to create American jobs, expand the domestic energy supply, and foster greater energy efficiency and conservation. It would curtail expanded oil drilling on land while protecting rich fishing grounds, conservation initiatives and tourism potential, while responsibly allowing for the expansion of oil production offshore, Tierney said.The bill was approved by a House vote of 236 to 189.Tierney and his Massachusetts colleagues have been working to ensure that drilling is prohibited from key national marine sanctuaries as well as Georges Bank, a critical New England fishing area.The legislation is not perfect, but provides a compromise package so that American families can still afford to put gas in their cars, heat their homes and feed their kids, said Tierney, adding, “This compromise package gives us a chance to make those basic needs a reality for Massachusettss’ families.”Last year, the House introduced landmark energy legislation, since passed into law, to increase fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon for new cars and trucks by 2020. That measure was projected to save families an estimated $700 to $1,000 per year at the gas pump, generating $22 billion in net consumer savings.According to Tierney, Congress again this year aggressively sought additional energy reforms to drive gas prices down, create sustainable smart-energy solutions and help the American consumer. Some of these measures passed in the House, but were blocked in the Senate, while others received a majority of votes in the House, but not the two-thirds majority needed.If passed, the new bill would make America safer, more secure and less dependent on foreign oil, he said.”It will roll back Big Oil tax breaks in a time of record oil company profits and require oil companies to pay royalties already owed to taxpayers,” said Tierney, stressing that the legislation would promote investment in wind and solar power, as well as natural gas; create millions of jobs related to the energy industry; responsibly open up offshore areas for drilling with oil companies footing the bill instead of taxpayers; and release oil from the government’s stockpile to bring down gas prices.