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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene Introduces Amendment to Protect Pacific Northwest from Offshore Oil Drilling

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Representatives Suzan DelBene, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and Derek Kilmer have introduced an amendment to the Strategic Production Response Act (H.R. 21), which would prohibit the Department of Energy's plan from including offshore drilling in the Washington/Oregon Planning Area. The amendment aims to protect the environment and economy of the Pacific Northwest from the risks associated with offshore oil drilling. The amendment has been co-led by Representatives Gluesenkamp Perez and Kilmer, with DelBene citing the importance of transitioning to greener energy sources and preventing disastrous oil spills in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • The amendment aims to prohibit offshore drilling in the Washington/Oregon Planning Area, which encompasses the coasts of Washington and Oregon.
  • The amendment is co-led by Representatives Suzan DelBene, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and Derek Kilmer.
  • The Strategic Production Response Act (H.R. 21) would limit the drawdown of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the Department of Energy develops a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas production.
  • The amendment has been introduced in response to the Republican-led legislation's plan to increase the risks of disastrous oil spills in the region.
  • Representative DelBene has a long history of protecting the region's environment by opposing offshore drilling and has been a cosponsor of the West Coast Ocean Protection Act for multiple Congresses.
  • The amendment has been supported by Representatives Gluesenkamp Perez and Kilmer, who have emphasized the importance of protecting the environment and economy of the Pacific Northwest.

Statistics:

  • The Washington/Oregon Planning Area encompasses the coasts of Washington and Oregon.
  • The Strategic Petroleum Reserve has a capacity to store 727 million barrels of petroleum (Source: Energy Information Administration).
  • In 2020, the U.S. oil and gas production averaged 12 million barrels per day (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration).
  • Offshore oil drilling has been linked to numerous environmental disasters, including the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill (Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
  • The amendment aims to prevent the expansion of offshore drilling in the Pacific Northwest, which could have devastating impacts on local economies and ecosystems.

Sources:

  • Office of Congresswoman Suzan DelBene
  • Testimony of Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
  • Testimony of Representative Derek Kilmer
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA)
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

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