H.R.7 Removes Barriers to Energy Production to Create More Than a Million New Private-Sector Jobs

As the House continues work on the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act (H.R. 7) (see here, here, and here), well be highlighting several of the bills pro-growth reforms over the next week.

First up: with our economy still not creating enough jobs, the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act is all about removing barriers to private-sector job growth. Instead of destroying jobs by raising taxes on families and small businesses, or resorting to more of the same failed stimulus spending, this bill

REMOVES BARRIERS TO ENERGY PRODUCTION TO CREATE MORE THAN A MILLION NEW PRIVATE-SECTOR JOBS & HELP ADDRESS RISING GAS PRICES BY:

• Lifting President Obamas drilling ban, requiring the administration to lease offshore areas estimated to contain the most oil and natural gas resources. Louisiana State University professor Dr. Joseph R. Mason estimates that unlocking these resources will create more than one million new American jobs;

• Opening a small portion of ANWRs 19 million acres in the North Slope, an area set aside by Congress and President Jimmy Carter for oil and natural gas development. Alaskan leaders and job creators told the House Natural Resources Committee development of ANWR would create tens of thousands of jobs;

• Approving the Keystone XL pipeline supported by a bipartisan coalition in the House and Senate, governors,labor unions, editorial boards, and a majority of the American people. President Obama rejected this project which would create tens of thousands of new jobs and according to National Journal  help minimize the odds of future gasoline price spikes; and

• Setting clear rules for the development of U.S. oil shale resources and promoting shale technology research and development. The Heritage Foundation says the amount of energy available through oil shale is staggering six times Saudi Arabias current proven oil reserves, according to the Natural Resources Committee. More energy production will help address rising prices at the pump.

And as energy companies hire new workers to explore Americas vast resources, the revenue from new energy production will help pay for Americas transportation infrastructure, which is critical to our economys ability to function. This bill is going to be far different than anything that weve seen in the past, says Congressman Boehner.

Stay tuned to learn how the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act reforms the Highway Trust Fund, eliminates red tape that delays road projects, and more. And visit jobs.GOP.gov for a look at the Republican jobs plan and other House-passed jobs bills stuck in the Democratic-controlled Senate.