Rep. Johnson distinguishing self on energy issues
Published 10:00 am Friday, May 6, 2011
In what continues to be a difficult economy, our congressman is working to help find solutions.
By supporting an all-of-the-above energy strategy that encourages development of energy resources in our region and all across America, newly elected U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson is quickly distinguishing himself in Washington.
Johnson helped pass three bills through the Natural Resources Committee that encourage the responsible development of offshore resources.
These bills (HR 1229, 1230 and 1231) will be heard on the House floor in the next few weeks and if passed would set timelines for the Interior Department to consider permits to drill in the Gulf of Mexico, require the administration to move ahead promptly with offshore lease sales and require the development of a five-year plan for leasing in the offshore areas known to have the most oil and natural gas resources.
If these bills become law, America will be one step closer to an energy policy that reduces our dependence on foreign sources of energy while still protecting our own environment and creating jobs at home that will contribute billions of dollars more to America’s economic recovery.
Dianne Clement, Franklin Furnace