David Thomas: “I wish to comment on what I hope is the progress of our Energy Policy Act of 2003 that is before us. It is a policy that…”

“I wish to comment on what I hope is the progress of our Energy Policy Act of 2003 that is before us. It is a policy that is essential to our Nation's energy security, to our economic security. I think it will play a vital role in where we go with energy. This is comprehensive legislation that has to do with production, particularly in the West; let's say domestic production. It has to do with research, which is what this amendment is about. It has to do with understanding where we go in the future with alternative fuels. We take a total look at where we are. One important provision calls for an inventory of the Outer Continental Shelf and the resources there for the United States. This requires the Secretary of the Interior to survey all the Outer Continental Shelf resources currently under production and under moratoria, and to develop an inventory of those reserves in the areas that are not in production. An analysis will utilize the latest available remote sensing technologies, but the legislation specifically states that drilling will not be permitted in conducting this inventory. The measure directs the Secretary of the Interior to submit a report to Congress on the inventory 6 months after enactment of the bill.”