WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), will launch its “American Energy Security and Innovation" hearing series next Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The Energy and Power hearing series will be an integral part of the full committee’s ongoing effort to create jobs, spur economic growth, and explore pathways to increase energy independence and innovation.
Next Tuesday’s hearing, “An Assessment of North America’s Energy Resources," will examine America’s vast resource base and explore the possibility of achieving North American energy independence. The subcommittee will hear testimony from top energy and market analysts including energy scholar, expert, and Pulitzer Prize winning author Daniel Yergin; witnesses will highlight the benefits and opportunities of America’s new energy landscape.
“Advances in technology and innovation have transformed America’s energy economy and we are now facing a welcome newfound reality of energy abundance rather than resource scarcity," said full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “Due to recent increases in shale oil and gas production, experts predict North America has the potential to become energy independent within a decade, and the resulting job growth will be significant. This American Energy Security and Innovation hearing series will provide a roadmap to help the nation achieve the promise of North American energy independence."
“America has been blessed with an abundance of energy resources. The U.S. is home to the largest estimated recoverable reserves of coal in the world and we have billions of barrels of oil as well as potentially hundreds of years’ worth of natural gas reserves under our feet," said Whitfield. “Expanding access to these energy resources will remain a top priority this Congress as we continue to fight for common sense solutions like removing barriers to affordable energy supplies, such as coal, increased drilling, and approval of the Keystone XL pipeline."
The Majority Memorandum, a witness list, and witness testimony will be available here as they are posted.
