Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (December 3, 2015) – Today the U.S. House passed with a bipartisan majority H.R.8: the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015. As amended, the bill lifts the crude oil export ban, put in place as a response to the oil embargo resulting from the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and expedites the stagnate approval process for American liquefied natural gas (LNG). This bill also promotes development of energy infrastructure projects by requiring hard deadlines for environmental reviews and permitting. The bill specifically addresses infrastructure impediments on federal lands, by requiring the designation of pipeline corridors across federal lands and by including legislation introduced by Rep. Ryan Zinke (MT-At-large) to improve the management of electrical transmission rights-of-way across federal land whose reliability is threatened by mismanaged forests. Rep. Kevin Cramer’s (ND-At large) amendment, adopted by the full House, ensures utilities are able to carry out this rights-of-way management in a responsible and cost-effective manner.

In response, Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large) and Western Caucus members Rep. Kevin Cramer (ND-At large), Rep. Ryan Zinke (MT-At large), and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) issued the following statements:

“America is a global energy leader and this bill helps us flex that muscle in the global markets while ensuring affordable, responsible, and reliable energy here at home,” said Chairman Lummis. “Expediting LNG exports and lifting the outdated crude oil export ban will allow American energy producers to compete in global markets while lessening our allies’ dependence on Russia and OPEC for energy. And the legislation’s infrastructure improvements, including on public lands in the West, will help ensure that American families’ power needs are met securely and reliably.”

“North Dakota has been at the epicenter of America’s energy renaissance and our nation’s laws and energy priorities need to change to reflect this changed environment,” said Rep. Cramer. “As a former Public Service Commissioner, I saw firsthand the importance of modernizing government regulations to keep pace with the rapidly changing energy sector to capitalize on the opportunities provided by our newfound role as the world’s largest producer of energy. It is very important to remember the national security impact the crude oil export ban has had on our nation. For too long the world’s energy markets have been controlled by despots and dictators. It is time to use the peaceful tools of energy development to replace the weapons of war in Europe and the Middle East.”

“I am proud to have my bill, the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act (H.R.2358), included in H.R. 8,” said Rep. Zinke. “Currently, if a tree falls on a power line that is on federal land, utility crews must go through regulatory back flips just to remove it. This bill corrects the federal inconsistency and indecision that ties the hands of our local providers. It really should not take an act of Congress to remove a tree. Our co-ops, who service 40 percent of Montana, deserve far better, as do all Americans who need reliable electric service to keep their lights on.”

“It is time for the United States to move beyond the policies that were developed in an era of scarcity,” said Rep. Mullin. “If we are to maintain our global standing we must champion policies that reflect the energy abundance of today and support the infrastructure and security needs of tomorrow. The North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act prioritizes our country’s energy potential.”

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