ATR Warns Senate, Reid May Place Ban Back on Oil Shale Drilling
Free Market Group Sends Notice to Senate to Watch out for Tricks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) President Grover Norquist, sent the following notice to all U.S. House and Senate offices warning that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is trying to sneak in the ban on oil shale drilling that was left out of the House passed Continuing Resolution (CR).

Dear Senator/Congressman,

All of the recent efforts to bring bi-partisan and bi-cameral solutions to American’s energy problems could be undone if Harry Reid has his way.

Sen. Reid is trying to offer his stimulus package as an amendment to the CR that will ban shale oil drilling.

According to the Department of the Interior, there are an estimated 800 billion barrels of shale oil in the United States, and Sen. Reid wants to keep them away from American consumers.

Sec 1602 continues ban on oil shale.  The language follows:

SEC. 1602. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including section 152 of division A of H.R. 2638 (110th Congress), the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, the terms and conditions contained in section 433 of division F of Public Law 110–161 shall remain in effect for the 19 fiscal year ending September 30, 2009.

Make no mistake; this irresponsible legislation will lead to increased energy costs and a loss of American jobs. With all the progress made in the recent weeks, why does Sen. Reid want to turn back the hands of time?

ATR says they will continue to monitor this issue and press Congress to pass legislation with no moratoriums on any drilling and expedited leasing arrangements with anti-trial lawyer provisions.