Citing a need to create jobs and hold the line on energy prices, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today voted for the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act that will cut federal red tape to address high energy costs hurting families and small businesses while also creating much-needed jobs for American workers.

“This legislation is another example of our commitment in the House to make America more energy efficient while at the same time creating conditions where we can expand economic and job opportunities for hard-working Americans,” Luetkemeyer said. “We can no longer accept half-measures and political maneuvering to get in the way of job creating legislation like this.”

 The legislation consists of:
• Gasoline Regulations Act of 2012 which would delay implementation of several costly new EPA rules until the impact these regulations will have on gas prices, jobs, our economy, U.S. competitiveness and local families and small businesses is examined.
• Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012 which would require more federal lands to be leased for energy production when oil is released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
• Streamlining Permitting of American Energy Act of 2012 which would reform and speed up the process for energy permitting by instituting strict timelines for permit approval.
• Providing Leasing Certainty for American Energy Act of 2012 which would require new lease sales for onshore oil and natural gas projects on federal land.
• Planning for American Energy Act of 2012 which would require the Interior Secretary to develop an actionable plan every four years to develop federal onshore energy resources.
• BLM Live Internet Auctions Act which would give the Interior Secretary the authority to conduct Internet based auctions for onshore leases to guarantee the best return to American taxpayers.
• National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act which would lessen federal red tape and allow for infrastructure development to unlock the full potential of energy resources in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.

This legislation is another example of the commitment of Luetkemeyer and House Republicans to move forward with policies, such as the Keystone XL pipeline, which would create up to 20,000 new jobs and lower energy prices. The Obama administration and Senate have refused to take action on several bi-partisan bills that would roll back red tape to enhance more American energy development. Gas prices have nearly doubled since President Obama took office, yet he has still refused to call on the Senate Democrats to pass the nearly 30 jobs and energy bills that are awaiting action.