House NRC Hearing Highlights Rising Fuel Prices, Weakness In American Energy Policy
Alliance Calls for Relief from Pain at the Pump; Access to More Domestic Energy Resources
Washington, D.C. — This morning, the House Natural Resources Committee heard valuable testimony from American consumers in the hearing, “Harnessing American Resources to Create Jobs and Address Rising Gasoline Prices: Impacts on Businesses and Families.” Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) president David Holt, and John Heimlich, CEA Vice Chairman of the Board and vice president and chief economist for the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) released the following statements on today’s testimony:
“After hearing testimony today from America’s trucking industry, farmers and businesses, it’s increasingly apparent that our policymakers need to embrace and advance policies that encourage the responsible production of every form of domestic energy to ensure our great nation has access to ample supplies of safe, affordable energy,” said Holt. “We call on the Administration to end the ongoing delays in issuing oil and gas permits and to allow access to domestic energy reserves offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska and the Southeast. Given that our combined recoverable oil, natural gas, and coal resources total 1.3 trillion barrels of oil equivalent – the largest in the world and more than Saudi Arabia, China and Iran, it’s time to harness the tremendous energy resources we have right here in the U.S.”
Added Holt: “We applaud House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) for responsibly addressing this issue head-on through the introduction this week of offshore energy legislation. These responsible, common sense approaches – combined with long-term development of alternative energy – rightfully encourage American energy development, while strengthening our energy security and struggling economy.”
“With energy prices, including jet fuel, at their highest level in more than two years, Americans need immediate relief from the pain they are experiencing in almost every good or service they consume,” said Heimlich. “High and volatile fuel prices are a tax on Americans – threatening to paralyze our nation’s economic recovery. One example of the fallout of rising energy prices is the recently announced cutbacks in levels of air service. Before American consumers see oil prices climb toward $150 per barrel once again, it’s time for the federal government to take affirmative steps to encourage and ensure the responsible production of our domestic energy supplies.”