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Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 3408 The “Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security Act” (PIONEERS Act).  Sponsored by Chairman Doug Lamborn (CO-05), chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, this bill removes the uncertainty from oil shale development and opens up land for both research and commercial development of oil shale.  Additionally, the bill creates consistent policies that the industry can rely on to move forward, contribute to our energy security, and create good paying American jobs for thousands of Americans.

“Oil shale is one of the most promising new sources of American-made energy and the United States is fortunate to have an abundance of oil shale resources, including in Colorado.  These resources are an important component of America’s energy future.  This bill removes the uncertainty from oil shale development and opens up land for both research and commercial development of oil shale.  It will create consistent policies that businesses can rely on to move forward, contribute to our energy security, and create good paying American jobs for thousands of Americans,”—Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources

Chairman Lamborn offered the following opening statement before the House Committee on Natural Resources. 

“Mr. Chairman, I present to the Committee H.R. 3408, the “Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security Act,” or “PIONEERS Act”.  I introduced this bill on November 14, 2011, and on November 18 the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on the bill.

“Oil shale is one of the most promising new sources of American-made energy.  The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the Western United States holds more than 1.5 trillion barrels of oil – six times Saudi Arabia’s proven resources.   This could be enough to provide the United States with energy for the next 200 years, and some estimates indicate that a few hundred thousand American jobs would be created with the development of this industry.

“Unfortunately, inconsistent and combative policies of the Obama Administration have essentially all but halted America’s research and development of this promising domestic resource.  Due to this regulatory uncertainty, companies aspiring to develop oil shale have left the United States, bound for countries with clearer rules and less burdensome federal regulations.

“Today you will hear opponents argue that this legislation attempts to promote technology that isn’t proven.  However, the exact opposite is true.  While the American oil shale industry is forced overseas, other nations profit from this Administration’s contentious policies and as a result, countries like Jordan, China, and Estonia have very robust oil shale industries.

“You will also hear opponents argue that oil shale poses a risk to water supplies in the West.  As a representative from Colorado, I fully understand the water issues facing my home state.  As technology progresses, we have learned that energy development and water management can be complimentary, as both the commonly used hydraulic fracturing and biofuels production use large quantities of water and both industries have successfully expanded on a commercial scale in the United States.  Furthermore, the Department of Energy estimates that new technology allows oil shale to be developed with one to three barrels of water per barrel of oil.

“Our nation is abundant in oil shale resources and these resources can be an important component of America’s energy future.  My legislation removes the uncertainty from oil shale development and opens up land for both research and commercial development of oil shale.  It will create consistent policies that the industry can rely on to move forward, contribute to our energy security, and create good paying American jobs for thousands of Americans.  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”