Congressman Fleming Introduces American Energy Innovation Act
Tuesday 05/19/2009 4:29 PM ET - Find Government Press Releases
Washington, DC - Congressman John Fleming joined Congressman Rob Bishop and Congressman Tom Price, and several other original sponsors, to introduce the American Energy Innovation Act (H.R. 2300) at a press conference on Capitol Hill. Congressman Fleming was one of seven members asked to speak at the press conference because of the huge role energy plays in his Louisiana district. Fleming took the opportunity to highlight the importance of the Haynesville Shale to a national audience and expound on the critical need for a sound energy policy that will allow for the Haynesville Shale's full potential to be developed.
"I represent the district in Louisiana that sits on the largest natural gas play in the country and possibly the entire world - The Haynesville Shale," said Congressman Fleming. "This shale has created thousands of jobs, injected massive amounts of capital into my district, and has the potential to fuel this country's energy needs for decades to come. Simply said, in my state, energy equals jobs. We must continue to develop oil and natural gas plays like the Haynesville Shale, the Outer Continental Shelf, the Arctic Coastal Plan, while investing in new forms of energy that will bridge the gap to cleaner energy sources and greater energy independence."
The American Energy Innovation Act consists of three titles which dynamically address our growing demand for energy through increased Innovation, Conservation, and Production.
1) Promote innovation within the energy market through entrepreneurship while reducing financial, regulatory, and legal burdens.
2) Provide incentives to reduce demand and increase domestic energy security by promoting greater conservation and efficiency.
3) Encourage the production of more American energy from all available resources and technologies.
Ultimately, these three titles will also provide a massive influx of Job Creation and Debt Reduction -revenues generated from the bill will be dedicated to a Debt Reduction Trust Fund.
"This debate boils down to a choice between two visions for our country. One vision - a very liberal vision - will take us down the road of cap and tax; a road that leads to massive loss of American jobs and increased costs to the working families hit hardest by the economic down turn. A road that punishes the American independence and creativity that made this country great by locking up an abundance of domestic resources and removing incentives to explore for new ones. A road that weakens our national security by propagating our dependence on foreign sources of oil. A road that simply said, leads to a dead end.
The path I support will rely upon the ingenuity of the American people and the natural resources within the borders of our own country - providing for increased domestic energy independence. The energy vision I stand behind creates jobs instead of destroying them, decreases energy costs instead of raising them and empowers Americans to create 21st century energy solutions instead of punishing Americans for using the only available options.
We must make greater investments in innovation to create the clean, renewable fuels of tomorrow. The American Energy Innovation Act will greatly expand access to nuclear power which is something the other side of the aisle often seems to overlook when discussing mandates for cleaner energy. The plan makes greater investments in clean burning fuels such as natural gas and supports bio-fuels all the way down to algae. And the deficit reduction trust fund included in this bill is a new, innovative, way to approach energy policy.
We must address this problem with a multi-pronged approach - which is exactly what this bill does."
Congressman John Fleming represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana. He is a member of the House natural Resources Committee and sits on the Energy and Minerals Resources Sub-Committee.
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