Ed Whitfield

These pipeline companies, as they are involved in maintenance, constructing new pipelines, making improvements, the uncertainty of what is going to happen in these areas does present some problems for them.

I want to make sure that we create the certainty for the industry that is needed to be there.

We still have a long way to go.

It has been more than three years since the Pipeline Safety Act was enacted, and PHMSA's implementation has not been satisfactory.

Pipeline safety oversight is an important and ongoing priority with this subcommittee.

It cannot be said for certain that full implementation of the Pipeline Safety Act would have made a difference in Santa Barbara or any other individual oil spill or natural gas pipeline explosions.

We owe it to the American people to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the safety of the nation's pipelines.

We for all intents and purposes have the capability to be energy independent in the real near-term.

And removing the ban on crude oil exports puts the market in play.

I believe that we could easily increase domestic production another million to 2 million barrels a day in the next year or 2 years.

I support exporting LNG because we have a process for it.

By keeping it here at home, we are able to adjust and be able to react more because we are not as dependent on other nations.

Allowing American companies to serve this global market would provide substantial economic as well as geopolitical benefits, and that is what H.R. 702 seeks to unleash.

Americans believe in free trade, and we as a nation have greatly benefitted from policies that allow us to export our products around the world.

This morning, we will be discussing H.R. 702, a bipartisan bill introduced by Joe Barton that would lift the restrictions on the export of oil produced in the U.S.

Lifting the export restrictions and allowing the market for American oil to extend beyond our own borders could create nearly a million additional jobs.

Americans believe in free trade, and our Nation has greatly benefited from policies that allow us to export our products around the world.

I do get upset about it, because we see a plethora of executive orders and regulations relating to asthma, and other things like that, but I am not aware of one executive order or regulation to address this issue, and this is an issue that…

At this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop).

Isn't that a relevant factor? What is the impact on the healthcare of those families who may not have health insurance?

But the truth of the matter is EPA cannot look at costs when setting the standard.

EPA came up with this standard in 2008 and only a few months ago did they provide the implementing guidelines to the states.

We are so innovative in America that we come up with new solutions, and I think that is true.

As policymakers, we are always searching to find the right balance between protecting our air and water through regulations without unnecessarily saddling industry with unreasonable burdens that might stifle growth.

A study from the National Association of Manufacturers estimates costs of $140 billion dollars annually and 1.4 million job losses as a result of this rule.