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National Grange Applauds House Resource Committee Vote to Allow Deep Offshore Exploration and End the 24 Year Blanket Moratorim as a Victory for Farmers, Rural American and States Rights
WASHINGTON, June 22, 2006 – "The National Grange, the nation’s oldest general farm and rural public interest organization congratulates and thanks each member of the House Resources Committee who voted with a strong bi-partisan majority of 29-9 to address our nation's serious energy security challenges by passing H.R. 4761, The Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act. H.R. 47 61 puts in place a responsible framework to explore, develop and produce natural gas and oil along our nation’s outer continental shelf (OCS) and bring those resources to market to the benefit of all U.S. consumers. Additional domestic supplies of natural gas are critical for agricultural uses such as food processing, production of biofuels, irrigation, crop drying, heating farm buildings and homes, production of crop protection chemicals and the production of nitrogen fertilizers" said Leroy Watson, Legislative Director of the National Grange. “
In addition, for the first time, H.R. 4761 would give state governments the opportunity have a direct say in OCS development as well as to share in the revenues generated from OCS development off their shores, just as states now share in royalties from on shore oil and gas production. “The National Grange believes that sharing responsibility and political accountability for the management of our nation’s off-shore domestic energy resources with state governments is more likely, rather than less likely, to result in prudent, balanced decisions regarding appropriate development of those resources that will especially benefit rural consumers.” Watson stated.
The National Grange is the nation's oldest national agricultural organization, with 2,800 state county and local grassroots chapters in 37 states. Grange members provide service to agriculture and rural areas on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, energy security education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America. Over the past 140 years, the Grange has evolved to represent non-farm rural families and communities as well as the traditional interests of family farmers and ranchers. |
