Thomas E. Petri: “today I am voting for the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act; however, I do so with reservations. I agree that we need to…”

“today I am voting for the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act; however, I do so with reservations. I agree that we need to end our dependence on foreign oil, and I believe that this legislation will benefit our economy by increasing domestic energy supply and creating American jobs. However, I am concerned with a number of provisions in the bill. In particular, I am concerned about the overly generous revenue sharing provisions that direct money away from the federal treasury to coastal states. I know improvements have been made in the manager's amendment adopted today, but I hope we continue to discuss the proper balance between the state and federal share of revenues generated from a federal asset. I also have reservations about the potential for this legislation to weaken federal environmental laws. Finally, I have concerns with the power we are giving states over waters as far as 200 miles off their coasts. What coordination is there with the federal government in terms of jurisdiction over these waters, such as impacts on shipping lanes and other national or international priorities? I believe that in order to truly end our dependence on foreign oil we need to pass legislation that promotes conservation and alternative energy sources, and increases domestic production in a manner that limits the potential for damage to our invaluable coastlines, national parks, forests, and other natural resources.…”