Press Releases

H.R. 6107 would increase domestic oil production by 20 percent and use the proceeds to fully fund 18 alternative and renewable energy programs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) became a cosponsor of H.R. 6107, the American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act, introduced by Congressman Don Young (R-AK).  The bill would help lower gas prices by removing the restrictions on environmentally-responsible development of the massive oil and gas resources located in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).  ANWR is expected to be capable of producing 1 million barrels of crude oil a day – the equivalent of what Texas produces daily – and production could begin within 5 years.   It is also estimated that opening ANWR would create 250,000-750,000 well-paying American jobs.  The bill would direct the proceeds from development into 18 different alternative and renewable energy programs.    

 “With today’s soaring oil and gasoline prices, it has never been more obvious that our nation needs to act now to bring down the high cost of energy and work to ensure abundant and affordable supplies of energy for the future,” Congressman Jones said.  “The U.S. must realize that energy security is national security.”

“Demand for energy supplies is increasing around the globe, especially in China and India,” Jones said.  “We need to do more to develop the energy supplies we have here at home, and that’s why I have long supported opening ANWR. This legislation is a much-needed step on the road to American energy independence, and it comes at no cost to the American taxpayer.” 

H.R. 6107 is one of several bills Congressman Jones has cosponsored recently to address the rise in gas prices.  These other bills include:

• H.R. 5768 – The Commodity Futures Trading Commission Improvement Act – To help reign in speculators’ ability to drive up oil prices by manipulating lightly regulated commodities markets.
• H.R. 6009 – The Affordable Fuel for Consumers Act – To halt deliveries to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; limit the number of boutique fuels refineries must produce to meet regional clean air standards; encourage construction of new refining capacity; roll back the federal excise tax on gas for 60 days; repeal the anti-trust exemption for OPEC; and open ANWR to environmentally responsible oil drilling. 
• H.R. 139 – The Idle Reduction Tax Credit Act – To encourage fuel conservation by creating a tax credit for the purchase of idle reduction equipment outfitted in commercial diesel trucks.
• H.R. 5995 – The Gas Tax Relief and Earmark Moratorium Act – To suspend the federal gas tax relief act, to be paid for by imposing a one-year moratorium on federal earmarks. 
• H.R. 6022 – The Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act – To suspend the acquisition of petroleum for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.