Posted on 06/14/2015 9:03:55 AM PDT by Isara
For decades, entrepreneurs in Oklahoma and Texas have looked to the immense natural resources found beneath our states’ soil, convinced that with a dream and a little hard work they could revolutionize an industry. These entrepreneurs have characterized the innovative spirit that has made the sister states places of promise for countless Americans.
We are proud to represent Oklahoma and Texas, respectively, and together we believe we can unleash the American energy renaissance that is already underway. To do so, we need to scale back the government, restore state and local control, and welcome technological advancement to tap into the resources beneath the soil.
The first step to promoting growth is reining in excessive federal regulations that are stifling jobs and economic growth. Previous posturing notwithstanding, just last week the Environmental Protection Agency released a historic, four-year-long study that concluded hydraulic fracturing has “not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources.” The EPA is by no stretch of the imagination a conservative institution; if anything, it has repeatedly attempted to hamper the energy industry through untenable environmental claims. Yet, even the EPA, after examining 950 papers and reports and other data points, could not find evidence that hydraulic fracturing harms water.
Yet even when science dispels myths, such as the claim that fracking harms water, the Obama administration demonizes the energy industry and has aggressively discouraged fossil fuel development and use, to the detriment of consumers and economic growth. This week, the president joined other international leaders and declared their intent to “decarbonize” the economy by the end of the century. In other words, the president is proposing to eliminate the energy resources that nearly every family uses to switch on a light or operate a microwave, regulations that would cost the average household hundreds of dollars each year. According to this president, traditional, affordable energy sources have no place in our cities or towns.
Instead of imposing crippling regulations, we must adopt a robust energy agenda that will help protect our national security and let the people do what they do best — innovate, explore, and create good-paying jobs for millions of Americans. The American Energy Renaissance Act, which we have introduced in Congress, will enable people to do just that.
The American Energy Renaissance Act returns the power back to the states, giving them the authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing. If states choose not to permit fracking within their borders, they are free to make that choice. But states on the forefront of this revolution, such as ours, should not be hampered by a restrictive EPA. The act puts an end to the EPA’s war on coal, streamlines the process for upgrading refineries, and enables companies to build infrastructure like the Keystone Pipeline. It encourages energy development by allowing offshore exploration, broadening development on federal lands, and expanding energy exports such as liquefied natural gas and crude oil exports.
We should not shy away from alternative energy sources if they are viable and affordable. In fact, Oklahoma generates about 15 percent of its electricity from wind power. But an all of the above energy strategy should truly mean all of the above, including traditional energy sources, without any dictates or interference from the federal government. Unfortunately, the track record and rhetoric of this administration does not elicit confidence that they will pursue this strategy in good faith.
The energy industry’s future should not be dimmed by a burdensome and overbearing EPA. For the past six years, we have witnessed the results of such crushing regulations and rules, and if we keep going down this path, American jobs will continue to disappear while household costs rise.
Now is the time to welcome the same ingenuity that propelled the pioneers of America’s energy industry to break through unimaginable boundaries and develop the natural resources we are blessed to possess. If we do, we will empower the private sector to create millions of good, high-paying jobs and give more Americans the opportunity to succeed.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., introduced the American Energy Renaissance Act in the 113th and 114th Congress.
All I know is that I’m sick of the whole of congress being able to tell the people of one state (or group of states) where they can and can’t drill for oil and gas.
We need to lift the great lakes directional drilling ban and join Canada and utilize the vast ocean of natural gas underfoot.
Cruz trying to redirect the conservation. Next, he’ll release a video of himself saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
Also, he will DRAPE himself in a flag while saying the Pledge. It will cause tears to stream down the faces of his adoring admirers.
That’s it! Cruz just lost my vote!
Where is your candidate on these issues?
Oh, wait, never mind. You just want to bash Cruz.
LOL. You are pathetic.
“LOL. You are pathetic.”
Typical Cruz supporter. At least I can give reasons for what I think which Cruz supporters can’t refute. Their fall back position: snark, name calling. I will vote for Trump (if he runs), Perry; any candidate I will consider if he/she rejects the Obama agenda, rather than embrace it like Cruz and Rubio. That narrows the field considerably.
Anything Cruz says now is done with a gold-tipped forked tongue.
odawg, I’m curious. Do you disagree with Bridenstine and Cruz’s article? They are right you know. You didn’t even comment on their effort to make America energy independent. If you don’t like either, and use any positive thing they do as a springboard to criticize, how are you different than a liberal? Hmmmm.
Gwjack
Thank you for that.
I appreciated it too when you posted that admonition on the Walker threads.
Thanks again.
Balding Eagle, if the vitriol that has been on here against Cruz continues, you may have to edit your tagline. :):)
This was an excellent post. Jim and Ted are spot on. I am glad to see energy independence being championed.
“Do you disagree with Bridenstine and Cruz’s article?”
From reading the headline, of course I agree. I didn’t read the article. I happen to agree with what Cruz says about the Constitution and a lot of things. But based on his votes, it is just talk. I won’t ever listen to him again. No credibility. He is willing to entrust Obama (and trust Obama) and his corrupt administration with the one of the most significant pieces of legislation of his presidency, which will bring about the total transformation of the United States as we know it.
*******
Take a look at this item, Dallas Morning News, Jan. 9 2015:
WASHINGTON — The U.S.-Mexico trucking dispute, the oldest sore point in NAFTA, apparently came to an end Friday when the U.S. Department of Transportation said Mexican truckers are now welcome to apply for long-haul trips in the United States.
*******
NAFTA is a free trade agreement, I remind you. Why can’t the government SECURE an American industry, trucking, by PROTECTING it from low wage Mexican truckers? One of my neighbors is a trucker with his own rig; he says he may have to sell his truck because he has had only two hauls in six weeks.
All hail free trade!!!! Are you prepared give up your job for free trade (and support Cruz) and join the 93 million Americans who can not find a job? No, I am not against trade. If you notice, Cruz will, along with Ryan and the other Republicans, correctly exalt “trade”, and its benefits, trying to make people equate “trade” with “free trade agreements.” Free trade agreements are destroying the American economy.
“Where is your candidate on these issues?”
What candidates somebody is or isnt’t looking at has NOTHING to do with the fact that Cruz betrayed us. Not choosing a candidate today does not erase Cruz’s betrayal.
I’ll repost below because you might need repetition for comprehension to kick in:
Don’t offer me your false-choice tactic either. I don’t have to pick a candidate today for an election 17 months away just because I have eliminated your liar Ted Cruz. You are free to vote for the next person that would move you a step closer to enslavement if you want.
Would all these workers be foreign workers?
Ted & Jim will help see to it.
Like any liberal, you present no argument, you attempt to redirect the conversation, you accuse the other side of doing what you just did, and you fail to make any actual point aside from "I don't like him". Moron.
It’s funny his logo is mostly RED.
Weird how that looks like so many Socialist and Communist logos. SO weird...
(Singular anecdotes are meaningless when you're talking about macro-economic principles. Try taking an econ class someday. It might help. I doubt it, but it might.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.