Strategic Production Response Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. COHEN. Mr. Chair, my amendment would prevent any new oil and gas production under the proposed plan if those activities will have a negative effect on the air quality.

I am a strong proponent of efforts to lower energy costs, promote energy independence, and create a stronger, more secure economy.

I recognize this will take a multifaceted approach, but it must include more investment in renewable energy sources and a smart transition away from oil and gas.

The fact is, for the past couple of decades the Federal Government has issued far more drilling permits than oil and gas companies have acted upon.

Nearly 80 percent of offshore oil is in areas that are already open for exploration, according to the National Resources Defense Council.

Oil and gas drilling is a dirty business, and we should think long and hard before we invite more of it on our Federal lands.

Drilling releases several pollutants that are making our air more smoggy and more dirty and harmful to breathe.

The toxic particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, ozone, and volatile organic compounds released by oil and gas drilling can lead to many poor health outcomes, including premature births, asthma, and heart disease.

It is often low-income and minority communities that bear the brunt of these awful effects. We should continue the work of the Inflation Reduction Act and create a new clean energy economy and not move backward with an empty political gesture that will ultimately do little to address oil and gas prices and our energy security and independence.

I might note that Exxon did a study in the early 1970s on these issues, and their scientists found that what has occurred with fossil fuels and the effect on our climate and our air was accurately predicted 50 years ago, but they didn't release it.

It has been found that what they predicted was almost exact, 50 years ago, on what this would do to our world climate, but they didn't release it.

We must protect our environment and the health of our current and future generations from the toxic effects of fossil fuel production.

Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. COHEN. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

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