Congressman Carter and the House of Representatives last night voted for the FY15 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which deregulates our nation’s natural energy resources and blocks the Democrats’ attempt to federally regulate all ditches, mudflats and other wet areas on private lands.  The legislation funds our national defense nuclear weapons activities, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Energy. The legislation passed by a vote of 253-170.

“Our nation’s security depends upon energy, and now more than ever the United States has the ability to become energy independent,” said Congressman Carter, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. “The Obama Administration continuously creates red tape and road blocks for our nation’s flourishing energy industry. This bill cuts through the red tape and thwarts the Democrats’ efforts to create new regulations and to invade American’s private land. The House’s all-of-the-above energy approach allows us to grow our economy by using our own resources and creates jobs here at home.”   

This legislation provides a total of $34 billion for discretionary funding, which is a $50.5 million decrease from fiscal year 2014.

• Provides $11.4 billion for the Department of Energy’s nuclear weapons security programs, including Weapons Activities, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, and Naval Records
• Funds the Army Corps of Engineers at $5.5 billion
• Provides the Department of Energy with $27.3 billion
• Cuts renewable energy loans by $113 million below FY14
• Includes $593 million for research and development to advanced coal, natural gas, oil, and other fossil energy technologies; $795 million for nuclear energy research, development, and demonstration; and $765 million in funding for programs to address rising gas prices

Rep. Carter speaks out against Rep. Moran’s amendment to the Energy and Water bill, which would expand federal control over all wet areas including ditches, mudflats, and other wet areas on private land. Farmers and ranchers could be completely prohibited from grazing cattle near a mud hole or pond, or required to obtain a permit for common, everyday activities like cleaning out a ditch.

For more information on this important piece of legislation please visit appropriations.house.gov.