Gingrey Amendment Would Increase Focus on Offshore Drilling

U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA), Ranking Member of the Science Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, today offered an amendment to the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008 which would help alleviate U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

As gas prices continue to climb and with millions of barrels of oil off of our Outer Continental Shelf under the lock and key of the federal government, increasing the development and utilization of ocean and coastal energy resources is critical to addressing our energy crisis.

Congressman Gingrey’s amendment would actually guide the National Sea Grant Program, originally adopted in 1966, back towards its original intent – to better understand our oceanic resources as an important energy supply. Rep. Gingrey’s amendment was voted down along near party lines.

“Unfortunately, Congress in 1966 seemed to be light years ahead of today’s Congress in 2008, because it was open to the potential of exploring and understanding what offshore domestic energy resources our nation had to offer,” said Gingrey. “With the improved technologies available for energy exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf, it is time that this program once again lives up to its initial promise from over 40 years ago. At a time when families are paying $4.07 for a gallon of regular gas, it is long overdue that we put in place the processes to explore American offshore energy resources.”

Rep. Gingrey’s amendment would add an additional duty for the Director of the Sea Grant Program to move the curriculum of the program towards more energy resource exploration, including production of energy from petroleum, natural gas, geothermal, wind and ocean thermal resources.

NOTE: A recent Rasmussen Poll shows that 67% of Americans support exploration for oil off of our nation’s coasts.

The text of Gingrey’s statement in support of his amendment is included below:
Rep. Phil Gingrey
Statement for Gingrey Amendment SG08-001 to HR 5618
Science Committee Mark-Up
June 25, 2008

I first want to commend the Energy and Environment Subcommittee for its quick action on H.R. 5618, the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008. This bipartisan legislation expands the scope and purposes of the National Sea Grant College Program, and the amendments that I will be offering this morning will assist the Sea Grant Program in its expansion through H.R. 5618.

In the Declaration of Policy in the original Sea Grant Program, the law – originally adopted in 1966 – notes that the vitality of our country is dependent on the understanding, development, and utilization of ocean and coastal resources because these resources supply energy and contribute to a number of important goals for our country – including national security and commerce.

Unfortunately Mr. Chairman, the 89th Congress in 1966 seemed to be light years ahead of the 110th Congress in 2008, because it was open to the potential of exploring and understanding what offshore domestic energy resources had to offer. With the improved technologies available for energy exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf, it is time that this program once again lives up to its initial promise from over 40 years ago.

That is why I am offering these common-sense amendments. My first amendment this morning would add an additional duty for the Director of the Sea Grant Program to move the curriculum of the program towards more energy resource exploration, including production of energy from petroleum, natural gas, geothermal, wind and ocean thermal resources.

At a time when families are paying $4.07 for a gallon of regular gas, it is long overdue that we put in place the processes to explore American offshore resources. Mr. Chairman, the American people agree. A recent Rasmussen Poll shows that 67% of Americans support exploration for oil off of our nation’s coasts. And yet, 85% of the Lower 48 states’ Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy resources remain under the lock and key of the federal government – off limits to drilling.

This amendment would bring together some of the nation’s top academic institutions through the Sea Grant program to find ways to better utilize our offshore resources for energy production in an environmentally sensitive manner. Their contribution will ultimately provide relief for working American families from the rising gas prices they face each day, by introducing more American supply into the marketplace.

Mr. Chairman, a real solution is long overdue, and now is the time for our laws to reflect real world challenges, where we need reasonably-priced fuel to not only maintain our quality of life, but also preserve American economic growth and prosperity. I believe that this amendment helps put us on that path.

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