UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN GARY MILLER Proudly Serving California's 31st District

Washington, Jul 27, 2012 - Click here for entire Capitol Connection Newsletter  The Obama Administration recently released its proposed five-year lease plan for developing energy off U.S. shores. On Wednesday, the House rejected the President’s plan as inadequate to sufficiently meet our nation’s energy needs and create jobs. The Administration’s plan keeps 85 percent of offshore areas closed to energy production and opens no new areas for drilling. House Republicans this week passed an alternative to the President’s energy and job limiting plan that would expand energy development in areas containing the most resources. Specifically, the bill implements a new schedule for 29 lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Pacific and the Arctic. The bill provides for environmental reviews for each lease sale, to ensure that the expansion of domestic energy production off U.S. shores is carried out in an environmentally responsible way.  Congressman Miller supported this legislation to help promote the development of American energy to strengthen our energy security, reduce the burden of high energy costs on small businesses and families, and promote private sector job growth.