Bill Introduced by Mike Rogers (R-AL) Concerning Drilling in Alaska

Congresional Record ^ | July 31, 2008 | Mike Rogers

[Jemian]

FREE Act (Introduced in House)

HR 6758 IH

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6758

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to promptly commence an oil and gas leasing program for public lands within the Coastal Plain of Alaska, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 31, 2008

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama (for himself, Mr. BONNER, Mr. EVERETT, Mr. ADERHOLT, Mr. BACHUS, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. HAYES, Mr. KNOLLENBERG, Mr. WAMP, Mr. WESTMORELAND, Mrs. SCHMIDT, Mr. MCCRERY, Mr. REHBERG, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. SHADEGG, Mr. BOUSTANY, Mr. PRICE of Georgia, Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Mr. PEARCE, Mr. DEAL of Georgia, Mr. BROUN of Georgia, Mr. CONAWAY, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, Mr. GOODE, Mr. NUNES, Mr. TURNER, Mr. RADANOVICH, Mr. DENT, and Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

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A BILL

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to promptly commence an oil and gas leasing program for public lands within the Coastal Plain of Alaska, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Furthering Renewable Energy and Exploration Act' or the `FREE Act'.

SEC. 2. OPENING OF COASTAL PLAIN OF ALASKA TO OIL AND GAS LEASING.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding section 1002(i) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 3142(i)), the Secretary of the Interior shall promptly commence an oil and gas leasing program, pursuant to the mineral leasing laws, for public lands within the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Such leasing program, including subsequent development and production under leases issued under such program, is deemed to be a compatible use for purposes of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.).

(b) Coastal Plain of Alaska- For purposes of this section, the term `Coastal Plain of Alaska' means that area described in appendix I to part 37 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations.

(c) Conforming Amendments-

(1) Section 1003 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 3143) is repealed.

(2) The table of contents in section 1 of such Act is amended by striking the item relating to section 1003.

SEC. 3. TREATMENT OF REVENUES.

(a) Establishment of Account- There is established in the Treasury a separate account which shall be known as the Energy Independence Trust Fund (in this section referred to as the `Fund').

(b) Deposits- There shall be deposited into the Fund--

(1) an amount equal to the amount of rental payments and royalties received by the United States each fiscal year under leases issued under section 2; and

(2) an amount equal to the amount of Federal income tax received by the United States each fiscal year attributable to sales of oil and gas produced under leases under section 2.

(c) Use- Of the amounts deposited into the Fund each fiscal year--

(1) 50 percent shall be paid to the State of Alaska; and

(2) the remainder shall be available to the Secretary of Agriculture, of which--

(A) 50 percent shall be used to provide business and industry loan guarantees under section 310B(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act in the then succeeding fiscal year; and

(B) 50 percent shall be used for the Biomass Research and Development Initiative established under section 9008(e) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8108(e)) in the then succeeding fiscal year.

[Jemian]

This bill was introduced on Thursday afternoon. Several members have signed on as co-sponsors. Let's publicize this bill and push for its passage.

[SumProVita]

I agree!

[EyeGuy]

“Bill Introduced by Mike Rogers (R-AL) Concerning Drilling in Alaska”

Sweet Home Alabama..

Alabama along with Oklahoma are the two sanest states in the nation.

[Issaquahking]

(1) 50 percent shall be paid to the State of Alaska; and

State of Alaska calls for 90% pay per becoming a state back in 59'.

Whatever happened to the 9th and 10th amendments?

[Jemian]

I had not realized about that stipulation in their statehood. I would think that could be changed in the bill before it comes up for a final vote. Remember, the bill was just introduced and will undergo much revision before its final form.

[Dixie Yooper]

In North Carolina, a bill like this could be declared “Emergency Legislation” so the governor could force both the state house and senate back to the capital for a vote. Is there anyway President Bush can do such a thing?

[Jemian]

I think so. I have called the White House asking President Bush to call the House back into session.

[straps]

If GW is a real cowboy with a White Hat he sure as heck would. To hell with what the party leaders say. This a emergency and here is his justification to make Reed and Botox Nancy look like the Communists they really are.

There is an article on todays Free Republic talking about AMAZON.com erasing reviews 200 to be exact about the arrogant cow from California. Sorry Cows I apologize you did not deserve that by me.
Her husband is the biggest profiteer on the Iraq War, She and the 2 liars from Florida Nelson and Martinez should be impeached for lieing to there constituents about drilling in Cuba. A Canadian company has been doing it since Oct 2002 and they are pumping 60,000 barrels a month from 4 wells. Thats producing wells Nelson and Martinez hang your head in shame................You too Pelosi

[DJ MacWoW]

bookmark

[Logical me]

In North Carolina, a bill like this could be declared “Emergency Legislation” so the governor could force both the state house and senate back to the capital for a vote. Is there anyway President Bush can do such a thing?

Nope! He can but will not.

[Mr Inviso]

So Radanovich (CA-19) finally shows up to co-sponsor this one. He was MIA on Friday during the protest action after the lights were turned out. This only partially redeems him.

[Jemian]

Well, this Rogers was MIA on Friday and is MIA today. His phone answerer said there was nothing being recorded today. I pointed out that it wasn’t on the Congressional Record but the People are watching and recording what is happening.