Congressman Tipton Successfully Amends PIONEERS Act with Bi-Partisan Support

February 1, 2012

Congressman Tipton Successfully Amends PIONEERS Act with Bi-Partisan Support
Amendment makes consideration for the impact of domestic energy development on local communities and the environment

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Stressing the importance of supporting local communities that produce domestic resources, Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO) today introduced an amendment to Rep. Doug Lamborn’s (R-CO) PIONEERS Act (H.R. 3408), to consider the environment, socio-economic impacts, infrastructure requirements, and fiscal stability for local communities located within areas containing oil shale resources. Tipton’s amendment was adopted unanimously, with bi-partisan support and included in the final version of the PIONEERS Act.

Tipton told the Committee, “It is imperative that we establish a framework to move forward with the development of our domestic oil shale resources and put our people back to work. However, it is equally important that the small towns which contribute so much to this production effort are not unfairly burdened by it.”

The PIONEERS ACT seeks to set develop U.S. oil shale reserves, many of which are located in the Third Congressional District.

“The amendment I offer today would express the sense of Congress that as the Secretary moves forward with the approval of oil shale development, he must take into consideration the environment, socio-economic impacts, infrastructure requirements in their entirety, and fiscal stability for local communities located within areas containing oil shale resources,” Tipton said. “Ensuring that local communities have the municipal, infrastructural and financial resources to support oil shale development has the added benefit of providing a better environment for sustained production over time.”

View the amendment here.