María Elvira Salazar: “I have generally supported offshore oil and gas development in the past, but I cannot support this bill in its current…”

“I have generally supported offshore oil and gas development in the past, but I cannot support this bill in its current form. This bill goes beyond offshore exploration and reaches back into the energy bill to change a carefully written compromise on oil shale development. The district I represent is the largest reserve of oil shale in the Nation, and I have serious concerns that the provisions in this bill will speed along and encourage irresponsible development. Western Colorado has already experienced one boom and bust due to oil shale speculation. It ruined the lives of many families in the West, and I cannot support a policy which will lead to another. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill or to eliminate the oil shale provision.”