[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE ``STUDY OF WAYS TO IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF THE 
COLLECTION OF FEDERAL OIL, CONDENSATE, AND NATURAL GAS ROYALTIES ACT OF 
                                 2006''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2006

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the ``Study of Ways 
To Improve the Accuracy of the Collection of Federal Oil, Condensate, 
and Natural Gas Royalties Act of 2006.'' I am pleased to be joined by 
Representatives Hinchey (D-NY), Grijalva (D-AZ), and Conyers (D-MI) in 
introducing this legislation. On May 7, 2006, the Washington Post 
reported allegations that American taxpayers are being shortchanged by 
oil and gas companies in the royalties that they are paying to the 
Federal Government (``Firms Harvesting Energy from Public Lands May Owe 
U.S.''). Jack Grynberg, a plaintiff in a false claims action against 
seventy-three energy and pipeline companies, was featured in the 
article. Based on his expertise, the legislation I am introducing asks 
the National Academy of Engineering to conduct a study regarding 
improving the accuracy of collection of royalties on production of oil, 
condensate, and natural gas under leases of both onshore and offshore 
Federal lands and onshore Indian lands.
  These valuable resources are owned by the American people, who should 
be fairly and accurately compensated. I believe that this study would 
prove invaluable in accomplishing this important goal and will tell us 
if there is a problem, including the extent of the problem, with the 
collection of royalties from Federal lands and Indian lands.

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