Washington, DC - Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) supported House passage of the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act (HR 4480), which was an accumulation of seven bills previously approved by either the House Energy and Commerce Committee on which Shimkus serves or the House Natural Resources Committee.

“We are constantly asked what you doing to create jobs?  Well this is another step toward creating jobs by utilizing our country’s natural resources and energy supplies,” Shimkus commented.  “I’m certain the Senate will sit on their hands and not even discuss any of these issues that would help lower energy costs, which in turn, both lower the costs of goods produced in the U.S. and lower the costs of fuel and electricity for American consumers.”

Some the bills incorporated into this bill were:

+ Strategic Energy Production Act – increase the amount of federal acreage, including the Outer Continental Shelf, leased for oil and gas exploration, development, and production.

+ Gasoline Regulations Act – creates a Transportation Fuels Regulatory Committee to analyze the impacts of EPA rules on gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas prices and prohibits certain rules from going into effect until after this committee issues its final report.

+ Streamlining Permitting of American Energy Act – establishes a timeline for the Secretary of the Interior to issue drilling permits within 30 days.

+ Additional bills would force leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska; direct the Secretary of the Interior to develop a four year strategy for energy; direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct lease sales through the Internet; and conduct lease sales on at least 25 percent of the acreage nominated under the Mineral Leasing Act.

“Job creators are concerned about the policies of this Administration and the many rules and regulations that keep being poured out by various agencies,” Shimkus added.  “The energy sector is what has put North Dakota last in unemployment; that should serve as a sign for the rest of the nation.”

The bill passed June 21 with bipartisan support, 248-163.

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