Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) today released the following statement after President Obama released a proposal to open vast offshore coastal regions to oil drilling. The five-year plan will allow, for the first time, oil and natural gas drilling off the East Coast of the United States and parts of the Gulf of Mexico pending a reversal of a Congressional moratorium. The initiative signals a major shift in the future of the nation’s domestic energy policy.

"I applaud President Obama for taking a critical first-step in expanding our domestic oil production by opening up offshore areas to oil and natural gas drilling. I have been a long-time advocate for an ‘all of the above’ approach to energy production, and I have repeatedly called for a positive shift in our nation’s domestic energy policy that includes offshore coastal drilling. I look forward to working with the President to put this proposal into practice and moving towards greater energy independence."
 
Background: Congressman Cuellar has been a long-time supporter of offshore coastal drilling as a means to secure the nation’s energy supply. As an advocate for an ‘all of the above’ domestic energy approach, Congressman Cuellar supports alternative and renewable energy production, in addition to natural gas, oil, clean coal and nuclear energy. In 2006, Congressman Cuellar crossed party lines during the 109th Congress to support H.R. 4761, legislation calling for increased drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Last September, Congressman Cuellar joined his colleagues in sending a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar requesting additional offshore coastal drilling beginning in 2010 through 2015 as a means to shore up the nation’s domestic oil supply.

To see a copy of that letter, visit: /UploadedFiles/OCS_5YR_Plan_Letter_9_16_09.pdf
 
 
###

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Government Oversight & Reform Committees in the 111th Congress. Accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.