Dec. 1, 2015, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today urged members of the House of Representatives to support an amendment to H.R. 8 by U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) that would repeal restrictions on the export of crude oil and include provisions of H.R. 702 as passed by the House:
“Our nation’s economic interests are served by allowing the free flow of U.S. oil into the export market, particularly benefiting key strategic allies that we already have strong trade relations with, and that is why Americans for Limited Government supports the amendment to H.R. 8 by Rep. Joe Barton.
“It is equally important that our nation’s oil refiners be allowed to increase capacity to handle our domestic oil supply.
“It is absurd to have an energy policy that does not allow the export of U.S. oil coinciding with a market-based rebuilding of our refining capacity. The Barton amendment begins to address this concern by easing the backlog of unrefined oil currently waiting to go to market.”
Attachments:
Amendment to H.R. 8, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) at http://www.rules.house.gov/amendments/BARTON_023_xml1119151438523852.pdf
AMENDMENT TO THE RULES COMMITTEE PRINT FOR H.R. 8 OFFERED BY MR. BARTON OF TEXAS, MR. CUELLAR OF TEXAS, MR. MCCAUL OF TEXAS, AND MR. FLORES OF TEXAS
At the end of the bill, add the following:
TITLE VII—CHANGING CRUDE OIL MARKET CONDITIONS
SEC. 7001. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States has enjoyed a renaissance in energy production, establishing the United States as the world’s leading oil producer.
(2) By authorizing crude oil exports, the Congress can spur domestic energy production, create and preserve jobs, help maintain and strengthen our independent shipping fleet that is essential to national defense, and generate State and Federal revenues.
(3) An energy-secure United States that is a net exporter of energy has the potential to transform the security environment around the world, notably in Europe and the Middle East.
(4) For our European allies and Israel, the presence of more United States oil in the market will offer more secure supply options, which will strengthen United States strategic alliances and help curtail the use of energy as a political weapon.
(5) The 60-ship Maritime Security Fleet is a vital element of our military’s strategic sealift and global response capability. It assures United States-flag ships and United States crews will be available to support the United States military when it needs to mobilize to protect our allies, and is the most prudent and economical solution to meet current and projected sealift requirements for the United States.
(6) The Maritime Security Fleet program provides a labor base of skilled American mariners who are available to crew the United States Government-owned strategic sealift fleet, as well as the United States commercial fleet, in both peace and war.
(7) The United States has reduced its oil consumption over the past decade, and increasing investment in clean energy technology and energy efficiency will lower energy prices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase national security.
SEC. 7002. REPEAL.
Section 103 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6212) and the item relating thereto in the table of contents of that Act are repealed.
SEC. 7003. NATIONAL POLICY ON OIL EXPORT RESTRICTIONS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, to promote the efficient exploration, production, storage, supply, marketing, pricing, and regulation of energy resources, including fossil fuels, no official of the Federal Government shall impose or enforce any restriction on the export of crude oil.
SEC. 7004. STUDIES.
(a) GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall conduct, and transmit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate the results of, a study on the net greenhouse gas emissions that will result from the repeal of the crude oil export ban under section 7002.
(b) CRUDE OIL EXPORT STUDY.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Department of Commerce, in consultation with the Department of Energy, and other departments as appropriate, shall conduct a study of the State and national implications of lifting the crude oil export ban with respect to consumers and the economy.
(2) CONTENTS.—The study conducted under paragraph (1) shall include an analysis of—
(A) the economic impact that exporting crude oil will have on the economy of the United States;
(B) the economic impact that exporting crude oil will have on consumers, taking into account impacts on energy prices;
(C) the economic impact that exporting crude oil will have on domestic manufacturing, taking into account impacts on employment; and
(D) the economic impact that exporting crude oil will have on the refining sector, taking into account impacts on employment.
(3) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Bureau of Industry and Security shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).
SEC. 7005. SAVINGS CLAUSE.
Nothing in this title limits the authority of the President under the Constitution, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Na-tional Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), part B of title II of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
U.S.C. 6271 et seq.), the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq.), or any other provision of law that imposes sanctions on a foreign person or foreign gov-ernment (including any provision of law that prohibits or restricts United States persons from engaging in a transaction with a sanctioned person or government), including a foreign government that is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, to prohibit exports.
SEC. 7006. PARTNERSHIPS WITH MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Department of Energy shall continue to develop and broaden partnerships with minority serving institutions, including Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the areas of oil and gas exploration, production, midstream, and refining.
(b) PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.—The Department of Energy shall encourage public-private partnerships between the energy sector and minority serving institutions, including Hispanic Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
SEC. 7007. REPORT.
Not later than 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Commerce shall jointly transmit to Congress a report that reviews the impact of lifting the oil export ban under this title as it relates to promoting United States energy and national security.
SEC. 7008. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Commerce shall jointly transmit to Congress a report analyzing how lifting the ban on crude oil exports will help create opportunities for veterans and women in the United States, while promoting energy and national security.
SEC. 7009. PROHIBITION ON EXPORTS OF CRUDE OIL, REFINED PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, AND PETROCHEMICAL PRODUCTS TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN.
Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize the export of crude oil, refined petroleum products, and petrochemical products by or through any entity or person, wherever located, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to any entity or person located in, subject to the jurisdiction of, or sponsored by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 106 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts including ALG President Rick Manning.
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