Mary Gay Scanlon: “This letter reads, in part, ``The current leasing system and onshore oil and gas program is antiquated and does not…”

“This letter reads, in part, ``The current leasing system and onshore oil and gas program is antiquated and does not offer proper oversight or ensure protections and fair returns to American taxpayers. Passing this legislation would leave BLM unable to properly oversee this program and could cause unnecessary harm to our special places.'' Finally, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record a Forbes article entitled: ``U.S. Energy Independence Soars to Highest Level in Over 70 Years.'' The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania? There was no objection. [From Forbes, May 2, 2023] U.S. Energy Independence Soars to Highest Level in Over 70 Years (By Robert Rapier, Senior Contributor) The topic of U.S. energy independence often sparks debate, with many believing that the country achieved this status under President Trump and lost it during President Biden's tenure. I have addressed these beliefs previously using data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). However, recent data from the EIA provides a clearer picture of the situation in 2022. Before delving into the topic of energy independence, it's important to establish a common definition. There are two ways to think about energy independence. One definition is that we produce more energy than we consume. Based on that definition, even if we import some energy, the fact that we produce more than enough to satisfy our needs would mean the U.S.…”