[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 13709]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

  (Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, calling for expanded domestic 
energy exploration and for a truly comprehensive energy policy, 
including renewables.
  Access to oil and natural gas resources from Federal lands and waters 
is critical to the energy supply of West Virginia consumers, 
businesses, and homeowners. Specifically, the Outer Continental Shelf 
will be increasingly important to our Nation's energy future. 
Approximately 25 percent of U.S. oil and natural gas production comes 
from offshore areas. Technology has allowed the industry to explore 
deeper in the Gulf of Mexico and to make many new discoveries.
  However, current policy unnecessarily keeps many promising prospects 
off limits, restraining additional growth and supplies. Congress and 
past Presidents have put a stop to offshore drilling and development. 
This must end. With gas prices at more than $4 a gallon and filling up 
the minivan at $70, we simply cannot afford to deliberately ignore our 
abundant resources. It is time to use our resources and to use our 
common sense.

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