Andy Harris: “later today, we will debate a natural gas exploration provision in this bill over which I have grave concerns. Thus, Mr.…”

“later today, we will debate a natural gas exploration provision in this bill over which I have grave concerns. Thus, Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the bipartisan Putnam-Capps amendment. We are all acutely aware of the financial strain that higher gas prices place on average Americans. We imperil our national and economic security if we do not identify alternative energy sources to meet our Nation's ever increasing demand for energy. The answer, however, is not in this provision. It will end the 25- year bipartisan Outer Continental Shelf, OCS, moratorium that Chairman Young spoke earlier about and, thus, allow construction of these gas wells as close as 3 miles from every coastal State. From an economic perspective, this provision will jeopardize coastal economies that rely on healthy tourism industries for continued prosperity. Setting up natural gas wells visibly 3 miles from the shore would have a crippling effect on these coastal communities and the residents whose livelihoods they support. Additionally, opening up our most sensitive coastlines to offshore natural gas drilling within these 3 miles could adversely impact the coastal waters, the fisheries and the marine ecosystems. If the Putnam-Capps amendment is not adopted, States would be shut out from offshore oil drilling decisions. Coastal Governors and the State legislatures would be denied a meaningful role in decisions about where and when drilling might occur.…”