THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY CLYMER, BAKER, BARRAR, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, EVERETT, GINGRICH, HUTCHINSON, MAJOR, MARSHALL, MURT, OBERLANDER, PICKETT, PYLE, RAPP, REED, REICHLEY, ROCK, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, SONNEY, STERN, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TALLMAN, TURZAI AND VULAKOVICH, FEBRUARY 2, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, FEBRUARY 2, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Urging the members of the Congress of the United States to

promote the drilling of oil and natural gas in the United

States to help meet energy demands.

WHEREAS, This nation needs a balanced energy policy that

promotes energy efficiency, conservation and greater supplies of

all forms of energy, including domestic oil and natural gas,

especially with energy demands increasing every year in the

United States and abroad; and

WHEREAS, According to the Energy Information Administration,

natural gas and oil currently supply more than 60% of this

nation’s energy needs, with this level remaining fairly

consistent over the next 20 years despite the increasing use of

renewable energy sources such as solar and wind; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, the United States spent $453 billion alone

on imported crude oil and other related products and dealt with

rapidly changing energy market prices; and

WHEREAS, Tapping into oil and natural gas fields in the

United States would greatly benefit the nation through improving

national security and the economy, reducing the dependency on

foreign sources of oil, creating new high-paying American jobs,

increasing revenues and improving this nation's balance of

trade; and

WHEREAS, By permitting oil and natural gas development in

areas of Alaska, in offshore sources and other onshore areas

within the United States, these goals can be met; and

WHEREAS, According to the American Petroleum Institute, in

2030, the United States could potentially produce 1.125 million

barrels of oil and 2.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day

in nonpark areas of Alaska and Rocky Mountain states; and

WHEREAS, A United States Geological Survey assessment shows

the Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana has an

estimated 3 to 4.3 billion barrels of recoverable oil; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Energy reports that natural gas

formations throughout this nation have a combined recoverable

supply estimated at 2,074 trillion cubic feet, which at current

yearly United States usage of 25 trillion cubic feet, would

supply the nation with at least 83 years worth of natural gas;

and

WHEREAS, The Marcellus Shale formation in Pennsylvania, and

the Haynesville Shale formation in northwestern Louisiana, both

largely undeveloped, are estimated to contain more than 250

trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas; and

WHEREAS, Recent advances in technology and drilling

techniques allow for the efficient and economical recovery of

oil and natural gas in areas once thought unrecoverable and

permit this extraction to be accomplished in a more

environmentally conscious manner; and

WHEREAS, Given the fact that there is various energy related

legislation currently before the Congress, it is important not

to forget the significant role that oil and natural gas will

continue to play in this nation's energy mix; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United

States to develop methods to encourage the further exploration

and production of oil and natural gas in nontraditional areas

throughout the United States to help meet the continuing need

for oil and natural gas as part of our national energy strategy;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the

President of the United States and all members of the

Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation.