The U.S. Capitol building (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Three members of the New Mexico delegation praised the Obama Administration’s move to expand offshore drilling today. Here are the statements they issued.
From U.S. Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M.:
“The president’s announcement is good news for American workers, good news for the American economy, and good news for our national security. The Obama Administration’s decision to responsibly develop more of our domestic energy resources is a positive step forward and an acknowledgement that expanding domestic production is critical to ending our dependence on foreign oil from places like Iran and Venezuela. Since being elected to Congress I’ve spent a good deal of time talking to the administration about the importance of producing more energy in America, and this decision shows President Obama and his administration are willing to listen to voices from our industry.
“Moving forward, I hope to hear more from the administration about how they will work to support small and independent producers in New Mexico and across the country. After all, it’s the smaller independents that operate the majority of wells nationwide and provide good paying American jobs while helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
Teague also pointed to a letter he signed last year that was sent to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in support of drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf.
From U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M. and chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:
“I commend Secretary Salazar for proposing a plan that makes available for leasing much of the potential offshore oil and gas resources that the federal government owns. I also commend him for indicating that additional studies will be undertaken before making a final decision on leasing in areas that might be environmentally sensitive.
“Secretary Salazar’s proposed plan is generally consistent with the legislative proposals regarding our offshore national oil and gas resources that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee reported last summer. I hope that the Senate will address these legislative proposals in the coming weeks.”
From U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.:
“I commend President Obama and Secretary Salazar for moving past politics and taking another step towards a comprehensive energy policy that will help reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and put us on a path towards a cleaner, more secure energy future. Today’s announcement of clear guidelines for offshore oil and gas production builds upon the Obama Administration’s unparalleled support for renewable energy and increased fuel efficiency standards. For its part, Congress must monitor the development of offshore oil and gas closely to ensure that we remain responsible stewards of our environment for future generations.”
No news releases have been issued by the other members of the New Mexico delegation.
Update, 5:35 p.m.
Former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M. and Teague’s opponent, released this statement:
“The energy policy announcement today by President Obama is another example of the president being ambiguous, evasive and misleading.
“The order will lock up more production areas than it releases. Under the administration’s plan a majority of areas that are open are being once again closed, this includes the Pacific Coast, the Northeastern Atlantic and Bristol Bay, Alaska.
“The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) plan announced by the president puts 13.14 billion barrels of oil and 41.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas under lock and key. And the highly touted drilling off the Virginia coast is actually postponed until 2012, thereby discarding a lease sale that was scheduled to take place in 2011.
“Even though the administration claims drilling is permitted in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, congressional action will be required before drilling may occur. Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly blocked congressional action, including when Republicans were in the majority.
“The current administration is making it impossible to drill for American resources, rather than opening up the OCS. Under the president’s announcement, our country will to continue to buy oil from nations that wish to do us harm, it prolongs the 10 percent unemployment rates and gasoline prices will continue to escalate because of the actions or inaction of President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Teague.
“If Congressman Teague remains silent on this issue, he is complicit in the president’s ambiguous promises to the American people.
“I favor creating American jobs and using American energy from the Outer Continental Shelf. We can create jobs and protect our environment simultaneously; we have the obligation to do both.”