Ed Whitfield

We perceive that that's precisely what is going to happen with this existing and new coal plant rule, that your goal is to have this implemented.

The NRC's reputation as the 'gold standard' nuclear regulator was established over the 40 years since its creation in 1975.

I think that certainly is very important issue to be focused on.

On August 3rd, EPA finalized its Clean Power Plan under section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act.

Thank you very much, Chairman Shimkus. And I want to thank the Commissioners for being with us today.

I had sent a letter with Chairman Upton expressing concerns over the inappropriate use of 'qualitative factors' by the NRC.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

We still have a long way to go.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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…

I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith), one of the original cosponsors of this legislation, who is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.