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Congressman Would Open More National Parks To Drilling

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Published Date

March 30, 2014

There are some units of the National Park System that allow oil and gas drilling, but very few. And that's wrong, believes a congressman from Texas.

Republican Rep. Pete Olson said there are energy reserves scattered across the country that can't be tapped because they lie within the National Park System.

"Guys on the West Coast ... west of the Mississippi, they know they've got oil and gas under the land that they can't touch because it's on a national park or some sort of federal land," he told Platts, a media outlet that covers the energy sector.

Energy development already exists at places such as Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Aztec Ruins National Monument, Big Cypress National Preserve, Big Thicket National Preserve, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Gauley River National Recreation Area, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, New River Gorge National River, Obed Wild and Scenic River, Padre Island National Seashore, and Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

Rep. Olson, who made his comments while attending the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners annual convention, believes companies can safely develop oil and gas resources on National Park System landscapes.

"Working with the parks system, without destroying the parks' value, we can do both. We've proven that we can do that here in Texas," he said.

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Comments

Submitted by trailadvocate on April 9, 2014 - 10:05pm.

Well, you could watch the hearings tomorrow concerning Lois Learner (IRS) and the recent AG Holder testimony before Congress and parlay their attitudes to the model that reins with this bunch. Presidential usurping of Congressionally past laws that he feels he can do because he has Holder as gate keeper at DOJ. When all the facts are laid out I don't think we are far apart, Rick. There's been such a fog of deception as to motives and goals that it really has been a challenge to really see what is going on. I remain hopeful. Sure glad I have one of the great parks close buy to help counter all the crap going on:)!


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