I wanted to share with you what I ahve been doing on energy, especially developing Oil Shale here at home.  Contrary to what people like Glen Warchol at the Salt Lake Tribune would have you believe (curious, he includes one line from my press release but does’t include the rest of the release in which my work far beyond the election season on this issue is highlighted), my recent legislation on Oil Shale has nothing to do with an election, and everything to do with ensuring we achieve energy independence and not just talk about it.  For example:

On June 8^th, 2007, in the Natural Resources Committee, I attempted to stop Democrats from sealing off all Oil Shale development in America.  That debate can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnKrX4hW5Ww

On June 27^th, 2007, I offered an amendment on the floor to limit the Democrat restriction on oil shale development.  A video of Congressman Cannon’s floor debate can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwLTqzRFShE

On June 27^th, 2007, Democrats held open a vote on my amendment so that Democrat leaders could switch Democrat votes to ensure Oil Shale was locked away from development.  That video can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX_AFQQ6DGc

On October 24^th, 2007, I, along with Congressman Bishop, implored their fellow members to open Oil Shale development.  That debate can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PilYCPVqOwQ

Two weeks ago, I addressed the issue of Oil Shale on the floor again.  That speech can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHKuB8VwZPY

- American consumers have increased their demand for oil by 12 percent in the last decade, but oil production has grown by less than one half of one percent.  We import 64 percent of our oil today.

- Of the estimated 2.7 trillion barrels of oil held in the world’s oil shale deposits, 2 trillion is scattered across the United States. That’s more oil than all the countries in the Middle East combined. Estimates of the recoverable oil resource in place within the Green River Formation range from 1.2 to 1.8 trillion barrels.  That is the equivalent of 1-2 times the total world crude oil reserves – triple the amount of oil reserves in Saudi Arabia. 

- 1.2 trillion barrels of oil is enough oil to meet the current U.S. demands for more than 100 years.

- The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the United States is the richest and most geographically concentrated oil shale and tar sands resource in the world.

- Oil shale could allow the U.S. to become the world’s single biggest oil source, ahead of all the OPEC members. The Department of Energy’s Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves estimates oil shale’s direct economic value to the nation might approach $1 trillion by 2020, not counting other equally or more valuable strategic and national security benefits that may not be fully measured in dollars.

- Total recoverable deposits represent a resource valued at nearly $100 trillion dollars at current oil prices, and considerably more at projected prices.

In addition, when it comes to supporting domestic energy independence, Republicans have demonstrated a clear record:

ANWR Exploration
House Republicans: 91% Supported
House Democrats: 86% Opposed

Coal-to-Liquid
House Republicans: 97% Supported
House Democrats: 78% Opposed

Oil Shale Exploration
House Republicans: 90% Supported
House Democrats: 86% Opposed

Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Exploration
House Republicans: 81% Supported
House Democrats: 83% Opposed

Refinery Increased Capacity
House Republicans: 97% Supported
House Democrats: 96% Opposed