John Drake: “I am an ardent supporter of safe deep sea drilling for natural gas. However, the current language does not contain…”

“I am an ardent supporter of safe deep sea drilling for natural gas. However, the current language does not contain necessary safeguards to protect our Nation and our coastal States. Revenue sharing must be included. And we must address the needs of our military. The coast of Virginia is a valuable training area. We must not impact that training capability. We currently are in discussions with the Navy as to whether we can develop a way to coexist with industry and create a win/win situation, realizing that the needs of the Navy are the top priority. We must also address the issue of the boundaries drawn by Minerals Management Service and correct the existing map. It is for these reasons that I support the Putnam amendment and look forward to a complete and detailed discussion of this issue. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to share my concerns regarding the Peterson language included in H.R. 5386 which would lift the Congressional moratorium on natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). While I am an ardent supporter of safe, deep-sea drilling for natural gas, I do not support the Peterson language. I do support the Putnam amendment, which strikes the Peterson language. Our Nation is in an energy crisis. Consumers are paying more to heat their homes and to buy American-made products and crops. Because natural gas is a domestic product, its price is determined by domestic supply and demand.…”