Political Quotes

“the bill enjoys very strong bipartisan support, as it is also cosponsored by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) and was favorably reported by the Committee on Resources by voice vote. In its essence, the measure completes the legislative process for an initiative which began several years ago with the enactment of the fiscal year 1998 Defense Authorization Act. Recognizing that there was no longer any need to keep what had been formerly known as the Naval Oil Shale Reserve Number 3 in Colorado, off limits to competitive Federal oil and gas leasing, this Act transferred administrative jurisdiction over to the Department of the Interior. At the same time, the Act required that receipts from preexisting federally-owned oil and gas developments, once sold, as well as any new Federal oil and gas leases within the area, be used to finance the remediation of a legacy of environmental contamination at the site. However, the release of these receipts to pay for the environmental restoration activities was subjected to a future authorization. This is what the measure before us today provides. I urge its passage.”