×

Keller proposes legislation to ramp up domestic drilling

U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, recently introduced new legislation in support of the development of American oil and natural gas.

Several American energy industry leaders back the proposal, which calls on the federal government and Biden administration to ramp up the production of domestic oil and natural gas via drilling, according to a news release from Keller’s office.

The call by Keller and other lawmakers for greater investments in American energy came on the same day the average price of gas in the United States jumped to a new high of $4.37 a gallon. In April, inflation shot to 8.5%, according to the news release.

“When you have families struggling to make ends meet, and we have a new high in the last week or so of $4.37 for a gallon of gas — the policies of the Biden administration and the Democrats are hurting the very people that need the most help,” Keller said. “If they really want to help people, they would need to get on this and make sure that we have an abundance of American-produced energy. It helps the climate and helps people that are trying to make ends meet, and it makes the world and America more secure.”

The legislation has the support of American energy industry leaders including Jason McFarland, president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors; W. Brad James, president and CEO of Enterprise Drilling; Tim Stewart, president of the U.S. Oil and Gas Association; Kathleen Sgamma, president of Western Energy Alliance; and Steve Pruett, vice chairman for the Independent Petroleum Association of America.

“Americans are facing economic challenges unseen for a generation with record-setting inflation,” Tim Stewart, president of the U.S. Oil and Gas Association, said in the news release. “The actions of the Biden administration have only compounded the problems on many levels, but most evident of all is in the cost of energy. Congressman Keller’s House Resolution gets straight to the point. We need a policy course correction, and this Resolution states in the clearest of terms that fossil fuels are crucial to providing growth and opportunity for everyone. We appreciate the Congressman’s leadership in putting Congress on record that a course correction is needed now.”

“While we introduced this bill, I thought it was important that we as Congress send a message to the world, since the Biden administration is not doing this, that American energy is advanced and we should be pursuing that to have more economic stability and more stability around the world. It’s a matter of national security,” Keller said.

Keller has been a longtime supporter of domestic energy.

“I know here in America, we do it better. We do it more safely. It’s a matter of national security and economic security for the United States,” he said. “First and foremost, we’re Americans. This isn’t a right or left issue, it’s right or wrong. And right now it’s right to be on the side of American energy. I’m working with anybody that is willing to send that message, that American energy production is good for national security, good for the economy, and for the environment.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today