Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) and his House colleagues today passed the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2728) in a bi-partisan vote of 235 to 187. This legislation, introduced byRep. Bill Flores (R-TX17) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) and co-sponsored by Rep. Carter, prevents the Obama Administration from imposing duplicative federal regulations on states’ ability to produce affordable energy through hydraulic fracturing.  

Hydraulic fracturing has spurred an energy revolution and created over 1.7 million jobs in 2012 alone. Barring additional regulations, hydraulic fracturing is predicted to contribute up to 2.5 million more jobs by 2015. New hydraulic fracturing technology is one of our Nation’s greatest opportunities to become energy independent, strengthen our Nation’s security and spur economic growth.

“I am deeply disappointed in the President's decision to continuously create red tape in America’s flourishing energy industry. We cannot continue to rely on foreign countries for our energy needs, and now more than ever is the time for America to become energy independent,” said Congressman Carter, who sits on the Appropriations Subcommittee for Energy and Water Development. “While energy production on private lands has boomed, total federal natural gas production is down 21% since President Obama took office. Now the President wants to add additional regulations that will cost at least $345 million annually. This is unacceptable! States have already successfully regulated hydraulic fracturing for 60 years. Let Texans run Texas!”

Hydraulic fracturing has existed for decades and has been appropriately regulated by the states. Even Obama Administration officials have admitted, on numerous occasions, that there has never been one proven example of harm to human health or ground water contamination caused by hydraulic fracturing.