Sessions Supports "No More Excuses Energy Act": Calls for Vote on Comprehensive Energy Bill to Solve America's Energy Crisis
Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R–Dallas) today called for House consideration of comprehensive energy legislation that would increase American-made energy supply, reduce demand, and help bring down the high cost of gasoline. Sessions signed a discharge petition, a legislative procedure that would force the House Democrat leadership to bring the No More Excuses Energy Act of 2007 (H.R. 3089) to the House Floor.
“Congress must support American energy security by increasing and diversifying American energy supply so that we can help bring down the current price at the pump and prevent future energy crises,” Sessions stated. “By opening domestic resources to responsible and environmentally-safe exploration, Congress can take an active role in solving energy challenges and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”
The No More Excuses Energy Act encourages responsible domestic energy production in the United States by opening the Arctic Energy Slope in Alaska to responsible drilling and lifting the congressional moratoria on drilling in the Outer-Continental Shelf. These two measures would potentially provide billions of barrels of oil, increasing domestic energy supply and, with time, reducing the cost of gasoline.
This comprehensive energy legislation also invests in clean energy sources—reducing green house emissions by offering a tax credit for captured carbon dioxide, extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for 10 years, and encouraging investment in nuclear power plants by reducing tax burdens on the industry.
Currently, the discharge petition to call up H.R. 3089 has 154 signatures; 218 are required for the bill to be considered. In the coming days, Congressman Sessions plans to join other Members in calling for a balanced and comprehensive debate on energy legislation.
“As a nation, we must become champions of American-made energy,” Sessions said. “House Democrats’ refusal to consider American-made energy proposals is without excuse, and the American people are fed up with broken Washington.
“Our communities, schools, and businesses cannot afford the price of inaction. That is why the Republican Energy Plan will increase the production of American-made energy, promote clean and reliable sources of energy, remove bureaucratic barriers to oil recovery and refinery projects, and encourage greater energy efficiency through tax incentives,” Sessions concluded.