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Press Releases

Boozman Votes to Increase Domestic Oil Production

Supports Efforts to Construct Keystone, Authorize Drilling in OCS

Mar 08 2012

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) voted for measures that would have increase domestic oil production as a means to counter long-term high gas prices during today’s consideration of the Highway Bill.

Boozman supported amendments to begin construction on the Keystone XL Pipeline and to authorize drilling throughout the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Both amendments were blocked by the Senate Majority.

“There is no denying that rising fuel prices are hurting Americans and further complicating our efforts to revitalize the economy. Washington can ease this crisis by increasing production. We are sitting on the largest recoverable resources of oil, gas and coal of any nation on the planet yet the Senate Majority is preventing us from tapping into the resources we have been blessed with to address this problem,” Boozman said.

Boozman supported Senator John Hoeven’s (R-ND) amendment that would approve the Keystone XL pipeline project and provide for environmental protection and government oversight.

“The Keystone pipeline would transport 700,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada to U.S. refineries in the Gulf Coast. Tapping into Canada’s oil sands—one of the world’s largest oil reserves—would help ease our dependence on hostile regimes for oil. As global demand for oil surges and the Canadians increase production, the addition of the Keystone pipeline would allow us to get reliable and secure oil from our largest trading partner and trusted ally. It makes no sense not to move forward with the project,” Boozman said.

Boozman also supported an amendment offered by Senator David Vitter (R-LA) that would put into effect a five-year drilling plan announced by President George W. Bush's administration in 2008 that would have allowed lease sales throughout the Outer Continental Shelf, including off the Florida, California and Virginia coasts. The Obama administration has refused to implement that plan and has kept leasing off-limits for the Virginia, Florida and California coasts.

“We should not sit idly by while Americans struggle with the high cost of gas. Lifting President Obama’s de-facto moratorium on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf would greatly increase our supply by producing up to 14 billion barrels of oil over a five-year period,” Boozman said.

“The people of Arkansas are demanding action from Washington. They are frustrated by the higher totals that appear on the receipts every time they go to fill up their car. They are tired of seeing more and more of their disposable income being eaten up at the pump. We can start providing them relief by increasing production here at home,” Boozman said.