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CONTACT: Amy Auth
202-225-2071

United States Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) took action today to change restrictive government policies that have stifled domestic energy production for years. She voted to pass the Deep Ocean Energy Resources (DOER) Act which will help America decrease its dependence on foreign energy sources by permitting the use of more energy sources from the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS.)

"Off of America’s coastline lies one of the world’s largest oil and natural gas deposits. Yet, many years ago, our government prohibited tapping into this vast resource. As a result, families, small businesses, farmers, schools and hospitals in the Fifth District are facing skyrocketing energy costs and a greater reliance on foreign oil. That is why I am pleased we’re addressing this serious problem now,” said Rep. Foxx.

Foxx noted that during this past winter, the cost of heating homes in North Carolina went up between 400 and 500 percent. Farmers and ranchers from the Fifth District saw their energy, production and supply costs increase by up to 50 percent. Others, such as brick masons, were forced to close parts of their operations because of increased costs.

“I cannot stand by and watch my constituents suffer the negative effects of a volatile world energy market when part of the solution to our energy crisis lies miles off our coasts. That is why I support the DOER Act, which reexamines energy production in the Outer Continental Shelf and opens it up to oil and natural gas exploration."

Currently, coastal states have jurisdiction over the waters that extend 3 nautical miles from their coastline. The DOER Act would give these states even more control through complete authority to permit or restrict energy production up to 100 miles away from their shores. The DOER Act would allow the Federal Government to produce energy in the deep waters beyond this 100-mile mark. This compromise will help America to develop the resources it needs to lower energy prices and create many jobs.

The United States is the only nation in the world that has prohibited access to a substantial amount of its oil and natural gas resources. As a result, our country depends on foreign sources for more than 60 percent of our supply, which has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of American jobs and higher energy prices. By producing more its own energy resources, the United States will lower consumer prices.

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