While the focus of everyone's attention right now is on the economy, it wasn't too long ago that the big issue in front of Congress was energy. It's safe to say that at least some of the economic hardship that Americans are facing today can be directly related to our lack of energy independence.

Today, the Congressional moratorium on off-shore drilling and oil shale expires, and Republicans can take solace in knowing that our insistent calls for the Speaker of the House to address this issue paid off... at least for now. Even more so, the pressure that Americans put on Congress to address the energy issue went a long way in forcing Speaker Pelosi's hand on this issue.

However, much more work needs to be done so America can actually start tapping into this energy potential. We must pass legislation that expedites the leasing and permitting processes and safeguards energy companies from frivolous and unwarranted lawsuits that can stall the production process for several years.

To see the letter to Speaker Pelosi I signed with 154 other members calling for the expiration of the moratorium, click here.

It seems that Democrats have come to their senses, at least for now anyway.  Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) has reportedly said that the funding resolution for Fiscal Year 2009 will NOT extend the moratorium that currently prevents exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf and for Oil Shale.  That moratorium is currently set to expire on October 1.

Republicans and all Americans can claim victory knowing that our tireless dedication, most notably during the August recess when the Democrats were on vacation and Republicans continued to press for opening up our energy resources, has forced the Democrats' hand.  But this is by no means the end of the story.

The Democrats will wait out the election and if they take the White House, you can bet that the executive branch moratorium on offshore drilling lifted by President Bush will once again be put in place. Not to mention that there's still a chance that the Democrats' "no energy" energy bill that they forced through the House last week could find its way through the Senate and onto the President's desk.

Furthermore, simply because this moratorium will expire on October 1 does not mean that energy production will start on October 2. What it does mean is that we can now begin setting plans that will allow for American energy production and eventual energy independence. My legislation to cut the red tape on energy production can certainly fast track things, but the Democrat leadership is sitting on it.  In fact, they’re sitting on most any real energy legislation.

We won a battle, but the fight for American energy independence wages on.
  

Faced with a looming bail-out of the financial sector hovering around the $700 billion dollar mark, I’ve signed a letter written by Congressman Joe Barton (Ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee) urging the President to consider opening up ANWR and the Eastern Gulf of the OCS to improve our energy security, lower energy prices, and provide needed revenue to the Treasury to help shoulder the burden the bail-out will place on the American taxpayer.

Here's a portion of the letter:

"As we work to strengthen our markets through an assistance package, we should also offset some of the liability, without raising taxes.  This package should contain some means to pay at least part of the cost of rescuing these financial giants, and do it without asking the taxpayers to shoulder a burden which is, after all, not their responsibility.  We therefore encourage you to include legislative language that would open up ANWR to leasing, along with the Outer Continental Shelf of the Eastern Gulf. 

The Congressional Research Service reports that in ANWR alone, if producers were able to recover 10.3 billion barrels of oil over the life of the properties - with prices at $125/barrel - the federal government could collect $191 billion in revenues over the production period, estimated to be at least 30 years once production commences.

Allowing lease sales in these areas, will not only increase revenue to the Treasury through royalties and corporate income taxes, but will also improve our energy security...."

I think it's only fair for Congress to look for ways to help offset the cost to the taxpayer of this trillion-dollar bail-out with revenues. While this isn't the only solution, it sure is an innovative one to help us navigate through our current financial crisis while protecting the American taxpayer and increasing American energy independence.

Late last night, the Democrat Rules Committee decided to allow debate on ZERO amendments to the Democrats’ new energy gimmick bill. It is a closed bill, so no amendments can be offered, and no compromise can be reached.

They made this decision over Republican objections, in the dead of night, and less than 12 hours before the House would begin consideration of the bill.

Not only is their approach wrong; but so is their bill. Their bill bans drilling in 9/10ths of our off-shore reserves and bans exploration in ANWR entirely. They’re blocking nuclear power. They’re blocking coal-to-liquids. They’re blocking oil shale and the list goes on. Really, they’re blocking All-of-the-Above.

At the same time, they’re increasing utility costs for consumers who are already concerned about imminent high heating bills. That’s the last thing our already tight family budgets need right now.

The Democrats know this bill is seriously flawed, and it’s simply a political gimmick. They’re not really trying to address the issue, but rather trying to cover their backs during a tough election season. The truth is the Democrat leadership has failed the American people on energy reform. Don’t be fooled by their charade.

Devil's Advocate of Copious Dissent is doing some nice work getting people's feedback about the direction our nation should be taking with our energy policy.

The Partnership for America's Energy Security is providing a way for citizens throughout the nation to voice their concerns, comments, or encouragement to the Minerals Management Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior about expanding offshore oil and gas development for the years 2010-2015.

The Minerals Management Service is the federal bureau that manages the nation's natural gas, oil, and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf (OCS).

Now's the time to make your voices heard, but they ask that comments are sent no later than September 15th,  so you've got a small window to provide your feedback.

Here's the link to the MMS' 5-Year Program comments page.

I hope you'll go on record in support of expanding the ongoing search for oil and natural gas to the 85% (574 million acres) of the Outer Continental Shelf that is currently off-limits to exploration and production.

Fresh off a month-long August recess – during which well over a hundred Republican House members returned to DC to demand a vote on a comprehensive energy strategy and constituents throughout the country demanded action from their Representatives, you would think Congress would come back ready to roll on energy, right?

WRONG!

Here's a sample of what we have on the agenda this week.

S.2837: A bill to designate the U.S. courthouse located at 225 Cadman Plaza East , Brooklyn, NY, as the "Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse"

H.R. 6475: Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2008

Throw in a couple of post office dedications and some other resolutions and bills, and let's call it a week.

While this legislation is all well and good, to still not address the energy challenges facing our nation is simply irresponsible.

Hopefully the Speaker will come to her senses in the 15 work days we have left before adjourning for the year.

Today, I was flipping through Business Week magazine and came across an interview between CNBC's Closing Bell anchor Maria Bartiromo and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin conducted on August 25 and August 27 – even before Palin gained the national spotlight as a Vice Presidential nominee.

It's called Sarah Palin on the Energy Challenge Facing America. The online version has the complete interview while the magazine focuses squarely on energy. Read the online version here.

One of the most telling quotes from the magazine article:

"In Alaska, we’re bursting with billions of barrels of oil that are warehoused underground.  We have to pump [this oil] and feed our hungry markets instead of relying on foreign sources.”

She goes on to say:

“I think some in Congress have misconceptions about what ANWR [the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge] is all about and what Alaska is all about.”

And:

“No one cares more about Alaska’s wildlife and lands and water and air than Alaskans.  So, when Alaska says, ‘We’re ready, and we’re willing, and we’re able to develop, and we will make sure that wildlife is not adversely impacted,’ people have got to give us some credit here and respect our position on this.”

As Congress returns to work next week, it's vital that we hammer out a comprehensive energy strategy that expands exploration for oil and natural gas, as well as increases investment in energy alternatives and conservation. Governor Palin is right:  As the state most directly impacted by proposals to drill, Alaska’s input is important and shouldn’t be ignored.

Below is a letter that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in June urging him to pursue and pass a comprehensive energy plan for the American people. I give credit to Yid With Lid for originally posting about it back in June. It was recently reposted at Jewish Blogging.com.

I don't think you can have an elected official today better suited to discuss the pros and cons of increased energy production in Alaska than the state's Governor.

June 23, 2008
The Honorable Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader
United States Senate
528 Hart Senate Office Building .
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senate Majority Leader Reid:

In previous correspondence to members of Congress, I have urged the enactment of legislation to authorize development of oil and natural gas in a small portion of the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). I will not repeat the arguments in favor of this legislation but will briefly focus on a few key points that have become even more evident since my last correspondence.
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