[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 95 (Friday, June 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      OFFSHORE ENERGY AND JOBS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2231) to 
     amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to increase 
     energy exploration and production on the Outer Continental 
     Shelf, provide for equitable revenue sharing for all coastal 
     States, implement the reorganization of the functions of the 
     former Minerals Management Service into distinct and separate 
     agencies, and for other purposes:

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, which 
raises several issues important to every Member of the House:
  Energy production and independence
  Environmental protection and preservation; and
  Job creation for minorities and women
  Given the importance of these issues, I believe the House would have 
benefitted from a bill I introduced during the 111th and the 112th 
Congress. H.R. 3710--The Deficit Reduction, Job Creation and Energy 
Security Act of 2011 and of 2012.
  My bill proclaimed a placement for the next generation. The 
introduction of H.R. 3710 indicated a collaborative approach in 
response of the call from Americans across the U.S., calling for jobs 
today. H.R. 3710 will do exactly that plus provide huge benefits to our 
national and local economies, and increase our energy supply and 
independence from foreign oil.
  The energy bill I offered calls for the secretary of interior to 
increase the total lease acreage set forth in the proposed outer 
continental shelf oil & gas leasing program for 2012-2017 by an 
additional 10 percent.
  This 10% increase shall be known as the deficit reduction acreage. As 
such, the secretary shall lease 20% of the deficit reduction acreage 
each year from 2012-2017. All proceeds from the deficit reduction 
acreage shall be deposited into the deficit reduction energy security 
fund.
  For 15 years after issuance of the first lease or receipt of the 
first payment coming from the deficit reduction energy security fund, 
all proceeds shall be deposited into an interest bearing account for a 
period of 2 years. Upon expiration of the 2 year period, these proceeds 
shall be distributed as follows:
  The interest gained during 2 year period shall be placed in the 
Coastal and Ocean Sustainability and Health Fund (COSH);
  And the principle from the deficit reduction energy security fund 
shall be deposited into the U.S. Treasury and applied directly toward 
deficit reduction.
  The cosh fund will establish grants for States (coastal and disaster 
grant program an]) a national grant program) for addressing coastal and 
ocean disasters, restoration, protection, and maintenance of coastal 
areas and oceans, including research and programs in coordination with 
State and local agencies.
  My bill also establishes an Office of Ocean Energy Employment and 
Training at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and 
Enforcement, which shall be empowered and directed to oversee the 
efforts of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and 
Enforcement Ocean Energy Planning, permitting and regulatory activities 
to carry out the purposes, objectives and requirements of this act.
  And my bill establishes the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion 
that will require the Secretary to take affirmative steps to seek 
diversity in all levels of such department, and to be responsible for 
all matters of the Department of the Interior relating to diversity in 
management, employment, and business activities.
  As a representative from Houston, Texas, representating the energy 
capital of America, I realize that energy is the lifeblood of every 
economy.
  I also realize that the oil and gas industry provides many jobs for 
many of my constituents and opportunities for small businesses in my 
district.
  Therefore, it is critical that while seeking solutions to secure more 
energy independence within this country, we must strike a balance that 
will still support an environment for continued growth in the oil and 
gas industry that creates millions of jobs across the entire country.
  My bill guarantees to pay down the deficit, create grant dollars for 
local government entities, and creates a job training and employment 
office for minorities and women at the Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, Regulation and Enforcement.
  Mr. Chair, I ask the Chairman and the Ranking Member to work with me 
on my bill, H.R. 3710, to create a robust job creation bill that pays 
down the deficit, creates grant dollars and establishes an office for 
employment and job training for minorities and women.
  H.R. 2231 touches the surface but does not penetrate into the crust 
of a real offshore job creation bill.
  My bill, H.R. 3710 requires the department to utilize its authorities 
regarding the leasing and development of offshore oil and gas resources 
to accelerate job creation and economic revitalization to the fullest 
extent practicable, taking into account the department's 
responsibilities regarding conservation, safety and protection of the 
environment; promotes expansion of domestic employment opportunities; 
responds to the Nations increased need for domestic oil and natural gas 
resources; and supports the utilization of the outer continental shelf 
for oil and gas production and transmission.
  H.R. 2231, does not provide the key components, in which I propose in 
H.R. 3710, and for these reasons, I am opposed to the bill and cannot 
support it.

                          ____________________