Manzullo Calls for More Domestic Oil Drilling

Congressman Don Manzullo has issued the following press release:

Manzullo: More Domestic
Production of Oil Needed to Reduce Gas Prices in America

Congressman’s 12-point energy independence plan includes more U.S. exploration

[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today echoed calls for House leaders to schedule votes on bills that will allow more domestic production of oil to reduce gas prices in America and end our addiction to costly foreign oil.

More than 112 billion barrels of oil exist within our borders and along our shores – enough to power 60 million cars for 60 years – and Americans should be allowed to extract the oil as part of our plan to reduce surging gas prices in America.

Unfortunately, House Democratic leaders have refused to call for a vote any legislation that allows extraction for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR – exploration would occur on 2,000 acres of the 19 million acre refuge), along the Outer Continental Shelf off our coasts (Congress banned drilling along the OCS in 1981), and on other federal lands in the United States.

Manzullo added there are now more environmentally friendly and safer offshore oil and gas extraction methods today. Case in point – not a drop of oil was spilled from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico when Hurricane Katrina passed over them nearly three years ago.

“The ultimate plan is for alternative energy – such as electricity, hydrogen or something not yet invented – to power our vehicles in the future, and I support comprehensive efforts to spur research and development on a host of alternative and renewable fuels. But the mass commercialization of those products could be many, many years away,” Manzullo said.

“In the meantime, we must take additional steps to increase the supply of oil and gas in this country so we no longer have to rely on foreign countries that often don’t have our best interests at heart. Americans simply can’t afford to keep paying these surging gasoline costs at the pumps.”

Manzullo’s 12-point plan to reduce surging gas prices in America, unveiled last month, includes provisions to increase domestic production of oil and gas as well as 11 other points calling for enhanced conservation efforts, development and commercialization of alternative and renewable fuels, and tax relief. To view Congressman Manzullo’s 12-point gas price relief plan, visit here.

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The oil well above is located along I-72 near Decatur.


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