Shuster Bill Pushes Energy Independence
By Kirk Swauger, Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
Jul. 3–SOMERSET — Standing before a sign at Sheetz showing gas prices hovering near $4 a gallon, U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster outlined legislation Wednesday to lower gas prices and increase domestic energy production.
Shuster’s Energy Independence Act, introduced in Congress on June 26, would open domestic oil and gas fields for drilling and invest in alternative energies — nuclear, clean coal, coal-to-oil, biofuels and wind.
“The American people are fed up with paying $4 a gallon for gas, and Congress needs to act,” Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, said at a press conference at Sheetz along South Rosina Avenue. “The current situation is having a dramatic impact on the pocketbooks of every American.”
Specifically, Shuster’s legislation would open oil exploration at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore on the continental shelf, while imposing strict regulations for ANWR drilling.
It would streamline the licensing process for new nuclear plants, create tax credits for the development of coal-to-liquid fuel technology and establish an alternative energy trust fund.
Shuster said 86 billion gallons of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas remain locked away offshore; more than 1 trillion barrels of oil are trapped in shale rock; and ANWR contains
16 billion barrels of oil.
Meanwhile, he said, countries such as Cuba, Venezuela and China are constructing drilling platforms as close as 50 miles from American coasts.
By opening the coastline for oil exploration and drilling, Shuster said, “The world will know America’s serious about pulling our resources out of the ground.”
He said Congress has failed to act quickly to relieve fuel problems.
“Congress deserves all of the criticism it’s received for a complete lack of action on gas prices,” Shuster said. “For years, I have argued and pushed for real solutions to our nation’s energy needs, but precious little has been done to give the American people the pragmatic, sustainable energy solutions we deserve.
“The energy debate has become so polarized that partisans pit investing in domestic oil and gas against investments in renewable energy. That needs to change. We need to do both now.”
Shuster expects backlash from constituents to move the Democratic-led House when Congress returns from its Independence Day recess.
He said Congress will return to Washington “with a new spirit, probably because they’ve been chewed out.”
Shuster was joined at Wednesday’s press conference by Somerset lawyer Carl Metzgar, the Republican nominee for the state’s 69th Legislative District.
Metzgar will face Meyersdale resident Ken Warnick in November’s election.
“We all share the frustrations of the American people, and the people of this district and Pennsylvania,” Shuster said.
Details of Shuster’s plan are available at house.gov/shuster/content/energy.
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