Tim Walberg: “We've all had to dig a little deeper in our pocketbooks when visiting the gas station lately. Gas has now reached $4 a…”

“We've all had to dig a little deeper in our pocketbooks when visiting the gas station lately. Gas has now reached $4 a gallon in my district. Combined with the stubbornly high unemployment rate in Michigan, I know my constituents are hurting. However, the pain at the pump has sparked more conversations than ever about domestic energy development. Even the harshest of critics are starting to realize that American oil, American gas, and American coal are viable solutions to our energy crisis, with countless numbers of benefits. The time is ripe for our country to embark on a new chapter in energy production, American energy, an overhaul of this, if you will. Right now we're faced with an abundance of expansion possibilities all there for the taking. New developments in science and technology make this possible. You've probably heard of at least a few terms like ``fracking,'' ``3D mapping,'' and ``horizontal drilling.'' These new practices allow producers to easily extract natural gas, coal, and oil from the ground, all while doing it cheaper, safer, and with less disruption to the landscape above. So why has this administration, contrary to their rhetoric, chosen to obstruct progress, energy independence, and security for our Nation? House Republicans remain committed to addressing this abundance of energy production and development. That's why we're trying to open up new areas for exploration and development.…”