On the recordMarch 21, 2024
This amendment clarifies that nothing in this act affects the existing ban on oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes. Legislation banning the issuing of new drilling permits in the Great Lakes was passed in 2005 with support from both parties. {time} 1545 While legislation before us does undermine Clean Water Act protections, it does not affect the existing ban on drilling in the Great Lakes. Republicans would like to call this week energy week, so let's look at the state of American energy today. Despite what you hear on the other side of the aisle, we are experiencing a record oil boom in the United States--a record oil boom. There is no war on oil. The United States is the largest crude oil producer in the world, outpacing Russia, Saudi Arabia, and other OPEC countries. Last fall, President Biden had approved more permits for oil and gas drilling on public lands than the previous President had at the same point in his Presidency. Through passage of the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden and House Democrats are addressing both the immediate needs for affordable gas prices for consumers as well as the long-term investments in a clean energy future that will also tackle the climate crisis. Already since the Inflation Reduction Act's passage, 292 major clean energy projects have been announced that would create over 100,000 jobs across the country.…
