Press Releases

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4480, the Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012.  This legislation combined 6 pieces of standalone legislation to create a bill that will reduce energy costs for families and small businesses, spur economic growth, and create jobs for hard-working Americans.

The Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012 includes individual bills introduced by Congressman Cory Gardner (CO-4), Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-3), Congressman Mike Coffman (CO-6), Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-5), and Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-4), all members of the Congressional Western Caucus.

“For three and a half years, the Obama Administration has actively prevented the creation of untold numbers of new jobs by blocking access to new American energy production.  Costly litigation, endless red-tape and burdensome bureaucratic processes are often the biggest obstacles to energy production and job creation.  This bill establishes an efficient and effective process to responsibly produce both renewable and conventional energy on our federal lands.”  — Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings

“There is no reason for the United States Senate not to consider the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act and send it to President Obama’s desk this summer. The seven bills in this package provide an opportunity for job growth and energy security. These bipartisan pieces of legislation make sure that we move forward on oil and gas development in the western United States and on federal lands, and that we take steps to ensure our nation relies on American made energy, provided by American jobs." — Congressman Cory Gardner

“Historically, roughly 30% of available acreage has been leased, but in 2011 only 3% was actually approved by the BLM.  In Colorado alone, the total number of new leases granted by the BLM decreased from 363 in 2006 to only 11 in 2011. The oil and gas industry in Colorado directly employs 50,000 people and supports over 190,000 jobs in the state.  The industry is responsible for roughly 6% of total employment in Colorado.  More energy production in the United States translates to more jobs domestically and less of our money flowing out of the country to buy the energy that America needs. My legislation will help accomplish that.” — Congressman Mike Coffman

“I am proud that I was able to make an important contribution to American Domestic Energy and Jobs Act by including the Planning for American Energy Act which uses a common sense criteria—the needs of the American people—to establish production goals for a true all-of-the-above domestic energy plan that includes wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, oil shale, oil, natural gas, coal and minerals needed for energy development.  This common sense legislation will jumpstart American job creation, and create energy certainty and security in this country through a true all-of-the-above approach.”— Congressman Scott Tipton

“The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act is one of more than two dozen job-creating bills the House has sent the Senate.  With millions of Americans still out of work and struggling to make ends meet, Congress must take action to help promote jobs and low cost energy. Between 2009 and 2011, the number of federal leases in Colorado dropped by nearly 10 percent. That represents a loss of jobs and energy production that could help us be more energy independent. My bill will help bring more certainty to the permitting process, and help energy producers cut through red tape and bureaucracy that often holds up development.” – Congressman Doug Lamborn

The bill also includes language to allow the Secretary of the Interior to conduct onshore oil and gas lease sales through Internet-based bidding methods, thus increasing the opportunities for potential bidders to participate in the leasing process. Another section of the bill establishes a committee to analyze and report on the cumulative impacts of certain rules and actions of the Environmental Protection Agency on gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas prices in an effort to balance environmental concerns with increased access to affordable energy sources for Americans.