GOP Lawmakers Introduce Bicameral Energy Bill

By Kaeun Yu

Sen. David Bitter (R-La.) and Congressman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) introduced a new energy bill Thursday aimed at reducing U.S. dependency on foreign oil and encouraging job creation.

Named the 3-D Act, the bill promotes Domestic jobs, Domestic energy and Deficit reduction by increasing energy production at home.

“This is a comprehensive, domestic energy access bill. It produces jobs, produces more energy independence and lowers deficit,” Bitter said.

If passed, the bill would direct the EPA and other federal departments to open up the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for domestic energy production, reissue leases on stalled onshore permits, and amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit EPA regulation of CO2.

According to Bitter, the 3-D Act will create 2 million jobs and provide $2.4 trillion in federal tax receipts.

Congressman Bishop said the legislation would rectify a problem presented by a recent Interior Department’s report, which claimed 22 million out of 38 million acres of land leased to oil and gas companies are not being used. 

“The lease is not the same thing as the ability to develop,” said Bishop. “They are not developing the leases  because of the regulatory policies and litigation process that is stopping them.”

“We are serious about developing energy, all kinds of energy and having a bridge to the future now,” added Bishop.

The lawmakers’ announcement comes one day after President Obama gave a major speech on energy policy, wherein he said the U.S. would work hard to spur domestic production and develop alternative fuel sources.