Political Quotes

“This act removes the obstacles that are blocking our efforts to achieve greater American energy production and job creation by providing more certainty and clarity to the public lands leasing and permitting process. In particular, my part of this legislation will ensure that Federal oil and natural gas lease sales occur on a consistent basis and provide the necessary lease certainty so production is made easier. {time} 1330 Currently, there are roughly 1,631 outstanding projects on Federal lands, including lands in Colorado, which have been delayed over 3 years. Federal regulatory delays to these projects prevent the creation of over 60,000 jobs. We have endured several years of over 8 percent unemployment. Over 12 percent of our veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan are still out of work. The fact that we are not fully benefiting from the employment and financial potential of our energy resources is simply wrong. The President often boasts about his energy record, but this administration regularly delays and blocks leases. In fact, BLM only approved 11 oil and gas leases in Colorado in 2011 where, in 2006, there were 363 approvals. We in Colorado understand the importance of harnessing our own resources and the value it provides our economy. The oil and gas industry in Colorado directly employs 50,000 people and supports over 190,000 jobs in our State. This industry is responsible for roughly 6 percent of total employment in Colorado.…”