Jim Matheson: “I thank my ranking member for yielding the time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the North American Energy…”

“I thank my ranking member for yielding the time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the North American Energy Infrastructure Act, and I want to thank Mr. Green, my colleague, and also Mr. Upton who worked so much on this bill. Our country is on the cusp of not only becoming the world's leading energy producer, but we are also close to achieving North American energy independence with our allies to the north and south: Canada and Mexico. With this can come jobs and economic growth, greater energy security, and less uncertainty in our economy. However, unnecessarily complicated, outdated, and political roadblocks are currently in place that can encumber this progress. We should remember the current Presidential permitting process for cross- border energy infrastructure projects was developed through a series of ad hoc executive orders, which has created a high level of uncertainty for everyone involved. This bill would work to modernize and streamline the process, providing producers and consumers with a greater degree of clarity about the process. This is a process that is in desperate need of reform, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.”