Ted Poe: “when the ladies of the gulf, Katrina and Rita, came barreling through recently, we learned many lessons. Unfortunately…”

“when the ladies of the gulf, Katrina and Rita, came barreling through recently, we learned many lessons. Unfortunately, in the aftermath we learned that the gulf coast oil and natural gas production can be easily disrupted to the detriment of the Americans. Although there were around 2,900 platforms pelted in the path of the ladies of the gulf, very little environmental impact resulted. In the wake of these hurricanes, the need for American petroleum and natural gas and dependence on ourselves has become evident. {time} 1600 The United States must be more self-sufficient when it comes to energy. The United States imports 60 percent of its crude oil from foreign countries. In doing so, we are subject to the illegal price fixing cartel known as OPEC. The Gulf of Mexico is responsible for one-third of the domestic oil production and 22 percent of the domestic natural gas production. We learned from Katrina and Rita, oil and natural gas production can be disrupted to the detriment of consumers throughout the United States because production is too concentrated in the gulf coast region. To correct these problems, I have introduced H.R. 3811. This legislation would allow for safe oil and natural gas exploration along the Outer Continental Shelf. This bill would do away with all appropriation moratoriums and executive orders that limit leasing activities, while maintaining environmental safeguards.…”