Question of the Week: Lowering Gas Prices

These questions are culled from phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails sent to Rep. Gallegly's Camarillo, Solvang, and Washington offices. Each week Rep. Gallegly adds another question and answer. Please add your comments.

May 13, 2011

Question: What is Congress doing to reduce the high price of gasoline and make America energy independent?

Answer: I understand that steadily increasing gas prices place a heavy burden on everyone, especially in such economically trying times. I strongly believe our nation needs a balanced energy policy to maintain our standard of living and future economic growth.

This includes policies to promote renewable and alternative sources of energy and conservation, as well as sustaining healthy domestic oil exploration and development. Doing so will reduce our dependence on foreign oil imports and create more stable prices.

For these reasons, I am a strong supporter of the House of Representatives’ American Energy Initiative, an ongoing effort to address rising gasoline prices and expand American energy production. This initiative will lower energy costs, grow our economy and create jobs.

The first step of this initiative was the full House considering and passing H.R. 1229, the Putting the Gulf Back to Work Act; H.R. 1230, the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Act; and H.R. 1231, the Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act.

The Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act would end the Obama Administration's de facto moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico in a safe, responsible and transparent manner by setting firm timelines for considering permits, which provide certainty and allow employers and workers to get back on the job.

The Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act would require the Obama Administration to move forward promptly to conduct offshore lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia that the Obama Administration has delayed or canceled.

The Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act would lift the President's ban on new offshore exploration and production by requiring the Administration to move forward in the 2012-2017 lease plan in areas containing the most oil and natural gas resources.

With my support, the House of Representatives approved all three pieces of legislation, which now await consideration by the Senate. However, let me assure you that our work is just beginning. The House of Representatives will act on an array of all-of-the-above energy bills that will focus on expanding all types of American energy in the coming months, including bills that will focus on wind, solar, hydropower, critical minerals, coal, and onshore oil and natural gas development.

For previous Questions of the Week chronologically and by topic, please see my Questions of the Week page.