Flores Votes for Job-Creating Offshore Drilling Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6082, the Congressional Replacement of President Obama's Energy-Restricting and Job-Limiting Offshore Drilling Plan. This plan would replace the president’s Proposed Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program. Following passage of H.R. 6082, U.S. Congressman Bill Flores (R-Texas) issued the following statement:

“The president’s offshore drilling plan would hurt American energy security and continue our dependence on unstable Middle Eastern oil. President Obama’s plan locks up 85 percent of our taxpayer owned offshore areas for leasing and energy production. The plan only offers 15 lease sales, mostly limited to the Gulf of Mexico, the lowest number for any leasing plan for any administration from Jimmy Carter through today. This plan clearly does not focus on the energy needs of America.

“Today, the House passed a plan that increases access to areas for leasing in the Gulf of Mexico, Mid Atlantic, Southern Pacific and the Arctic regions. This plan increases the number of lease sales over the next five years from 15 to 29. These lease sale areas are estimated to contain vast amounts of oil and natural gas resources, providing new opportunities for increased production and job creation in the energy sector. In addition, this plan provides for separate environmental reviews for each specific lease sale. Our plan goes farther than that of the president as it will grow the economy, create jobs, lower energy prices and enhance our energy security. This legislation is an integral part of House Republican’s ‘all-of-the-above’ approach for American energy security and American job creation.”  
 

Congressman Bill Flores represents the 17th District of Texas and is an entrepreneur, former energy executive, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and member of the House Budget, Natural Resources and Veterans’ Affairs Committees

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