Legislative Hearing: Hearing on Onshore Energy Policy Discussion Draft

Energy and Mineral Resources Date: Friday, October 13, 2017 Time: 09:00 AM Location: Longworth House Office Building 1334

LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON:

  • Discussion Draft of H.R. ____, To achieve domestic energy independence by empowering States to manage the development and production of oil and gas on available Federal land, and for other purposes. “Opportunities for the Nation and States to Harness Onshore Resources” or “ONSHORE Act.”

DEMOCRATIC TOP-LINE MESSAGES:

  • This legislation is simply a public land giveaway to the states and the oil and gas industry by another name.
  • Giving permitting authority to states would undercut the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), tribal consultation, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the mandate to manage public land for multiple uses and multiple users.
  • Companies have nearly 8,000 approved permits they haven’t used – there is no need to speed up permitting.
  • Oil production on onshore federal lands rose by 77 percent under President Obama, clearly showing that companies are not fleeing public lands as Republicans claim.