[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          BLM PREVENTS JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY

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                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2013

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, this month, the United States Bureau of 
Land Management indefinitely cancelled all oil and natural gas lease 
sales in California. This includes 1,278 acres of prime oil and natural 
gas land in Kern and Fresno counties located in my District--California 
21.
   This land is part of the Monterey Shale Formation located in the 
Central Valley. The Monterey Shale contains 2/3 of our country's shale 
oil reserves--the equivalent of 15.4 billion barrels. If tapped, it 
could generate half a million jobs and generate $4.5 billion in 
revenue. This would have a significant impact on my district which has 
faced chronic unemployment for years.
   However, citing sequestration, BLM is suspending all future lease 
sales in California. The decision was made despite the fact that these 
leases provide significant revenue for the federal government.
   This is just another example of the Administration using 
sequestration to further their environmental policy agenda at the 
expense of American families. BLM's efforts to prevent energy 
development are depriving my constituents of quality jobs and 
increasing energy prices for hardworking families across the country.
   It is unacceptable that BLM is halting lease auctions in regions 
that have been used for oil and gas development for over a century. 
These auctions generate revenue for the federal government, reduce our 
nation's dependency on foreign oil, and lead to direct economic 
benefits as well as local job creation.
   Thousands in the Central Valley remain unemployed as the job-
creating opportunities within lease sales remain untapped. If we took 
advantage of these employment opportunities, small businesses would 
have more customers and local government could direct more revenue 
dollars to public safety and education. Those of us in the Central 
Valley are proud of our energy and agriculture heritage.
   It is time for Washington bureaucrats to get out of the way and let 
our valley flourish.

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