[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 31 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E416-E417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MARKEY AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2011

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the amendment 
offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Markey. This amendment 
would strike a strange provision in law that allows for royalty-free 
production for certain offshore drilling leases.
  I have introduced legislation, the No New Drilling Act of 2011, which 
would stop the Interior Department from pursuing any new exploration, 
development or production of oil, gas or any other mineral anywhere off 
America's coasts. The fact remains that opening up new drilling for 
fossil fuel development is unnecessary, poses a serious threat to our 
shores, and is the wrong approach.
  If oil companies are going to drill in our waters, at the very least 
they should be required to pay royalties to the federal government on 
the profits they make at the expense of our environment. We have seen 
the environmental catastrophe that can occur, most notably with the BP 
oil spill last year.
  I don't support issuing any new leases for offshore drilling in areas 
not currently leased. I support this amendment so that we can hold 
these companies financially accountable for the benefits they are 
reaping from our coastal environment. I urge all of my colleagues to 
vote aye.

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