Bill Text: IN SR0041 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urging national policy makers to seek North American energy independence.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-28 - Senator Hume added as coauthor [SR0041 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-SR0041-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION urging national policy makers to
adopt an energy approach that increases U.S. energy security,
achieves North American energy independence, ensures the
availability of needed pipelines and infrastructure, and
stimulates the U.S. economy by creating American jobs.
, read first time and referred to Committee on
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
A SENATE RESOLUTION urging national policy makers
to adopt an energy approach that increases U.S. energy security,
achieves North American energy independence, ensures the
availability of needed pipelines and infrastructure, and
stimulates the U.S. economy by creating American jobs.
Whereas, New technology and newly accessible reserves
have positioned the United States to become a global leader in
oil and natural gas production. The new energy development
has become a catalyst for economic growth, bringing
affordable energy, jobs, revenues and an accompanying
resurgence of manufacturing. The U.S. crude oil and natural
gas industry contributes more than $1 trillion annually to the
U.S. economy, or more than 7 percent of the U.S. gross
domestic product, and it supports more than 9 million jobs;
Whereas, Canadian oil reserves are vast and are second only to Saudi Arabia. Canada is currently the largest supplier of the United States' imported oil. Canada sends more than 99 percent of its oil exports to the United States, the bulk of which goes to Midwestern refineries. The same money used to buy Canadian oil will likely be spent directly on U.S. goods and services, in contrast to the money sent to hostile governments
later used to further anti-democratic agendas;
Whereas, Increasing energy imports from Canada makes
sense for the United States. Canada is a trusted neighbor with
a stable democratic government, strong environmental
standards equal to that of the U.S., and some of the most
stringent human rights and worker protection laws in the
world;
Whereas, The growing production of conflict-free oil from
Canada's oil sands and the Bakken formation in Saskatchewan,
Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota can replace crude
imported from countries that do not share American values;
Whereas, The new North American opportunities are
providing the U.S. government with a historic opportunity to
dramatically enhance national energy security and affordability
when America needs it most;
Whereas, A secure supply of oil and natural gas is not only
needed for Americans to continue to heat their homes, cook
their food, and drive their vehicles, but to allow the U.S.
economy to thrive and grow free from the potential threats and
disruptions of crude oil supply from less secure parts of the
world. The United States will need more oil and gas, while also
requiring additional alternative energy sources to fuel our
economy;
Whereas, Worldwide competition for oil and natural gas
will increase as third world countries' economies and
population continue to grow at astonishing rates;
Whereas, Oil companies are investing huge sums to expand
and upgrade refineries in the Midwest and elsewhere to make
gasoline and other refined products from Canadian oil;
Whereas, Pipelines are the safest method for the transportation of petroleum products when compared to other
methods of transportation. Keystone XL pipeline project will
replace the equivalent of a tanker train 25 miles long, or 200
ocean tankers per year. This will reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by as much as 19 million tons, or the equivalent of
taking almost 4 million cars off the road;
Whereas, The Gulf Coast Pipeline Project is a $2.3 billion
project that will create approximately 4,000 construction jobs.
Keystone XL project will create approximately 9,000
construction jobs. Combined, they support yet another 7,000
manufacturing jobs. Seventy-five percent of the pipe used to
build Keystone XL in the U.S. will come from North American
mills, including half made by U.S. workers. Goods for the
pipeline valued at approximately $800 million have already
been sourced from U.S. manufacturers;
Whereas, Eighty-seven percent of technically recoverable
oil and natural gas resources on federal offshore acreage is off
limits to development due to government policy; and
Whereas, The United States could be 100 percent energy
independent for liquid fuels by 2025 if the federal government
opened access to areas currently off limits and partnered with
Canada to maximize its oil sands: Therefore,
SECTION 1. That the Indiana Senate urges the President and Congress to support the continued and increased importation of oil derived from Canadian oil sands.
SECTION 2. That the Indiana Senate urges the President and Congress to grasp the opportunity to make North America energy independent by ensuring America's tax, regulatory and access policies support developing our natural resources safely and responsibly.
SECTION 3. That the Indiana Senate urges the U.S. Secretary of State to approve the newly-routed pipeline application from
TransCanada to reduce dependence on unstable governments, improve our national security, and strengthen ties with an important ally.
