“We agree that America’s energy picture is changing rapidly and that we need to update and modernize our energy infrastructure immediately. Right now, thanks to President Obama’s and the Democrats in Congress’ energy policies, our country is experiencing record energy surpluses, significant reductions in demand, and prices at the pump that have fallen nearly 50 percent over the past few months. We need energy legislation that not only increases energy supplies, but also diversifies them and promotes diversity in the workforce that produces them; one that reduces our dependence on fossil fuels by promoting efficiency and reduced demand; one that protects our environment and climate, while promoting our economic wellbeing; and one that results in benefits, not just for large producers, but also for all Americans.
“While the inclusion of a few provisions that garnered bipartisan support last Congress is encouraging, that is no substitute for sitting down at the outset to draft legislation acceptable to a broad range of Members on both sides. We hope that Chairman Upton and Whitfield will work in a truly bipartisan fashion with all members of the Energy and Commerce Committee to draft comprehensive energy legislation through regular order."
