Rep. Jim Renacci (OH-16) today voted in favor of H.R. 2728, the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act. This bill would protect Ohio jobs and expand American energy development by prohibiting the Department of the Interior from enforcing unnecessary and duplicative federal hydraulic fracturing regulations that stand to put our energy independence and economy at risk.

“At a time when Ohioans are looking for an economic recovery, it is unacceptable that the Obama Administration has proposed federal regulations that will cost jobs, decrease American energy production, drive up energy prices, and strangle our economic growth. Ohio has safely and successfully regulated hydraulic fracturing for years, and states should have the right to continue to regulate this activity; Washington doesn’t always know what is best for Ohio.” said Rep. Jim Renacci (OH-16). “I was proud to support the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act. Ohio now has the potential to be a leader in domestic energy production, and this bill not only protects current jobs, it also paves the way for much-needed high-paying jobs in Northeast Ohio. I will continue to work to find commonsense, bipartisan solutions that support an all-of-the-above energy approach, and I encourage the President and my colleagues in the Senate to do the same.”

Rep. Renacci spoke on the House floor today in support of the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act during the debate of an amendment that would make public information from states that have established efficient and effective regulatory programs. Click HERE to view the video.

Floor Speech Text

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Flores amendment, which would make public states that have established efficient and effective regulatory programs that both encourage domestic development of our resources and protect the environment and health of our citizens.

“My home state of Ohio has some of the most transparent and robust oil and gas regulations in the nation, which in many cases far surpass federal regulations.
“In fact, since 1953 over 80,000 wells have been hydraulically fractured in Ohio without a single case of groundwater contamination.
“At this same time, we are experiencing an energy renaissance that is estimated to bring more than 65,000 jobs and contribute nearly $5 billion to Ohio’s economy by 2014.
“Ohio now has the potential to be a leader in domestic energy production, which would bring much-needed high-paying jobs and economic growth to Northeast Ohio.

“It is clear that prudent and responsible development of our resources that creates jobs, enhances our national security and energy independence, and impacts long-term economic growth should not be a partisan issue.

“I urge my friends on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment and the underlying bill.

“I yield back the balance of my time.”