House sets up Thursday vote on GOP energy bill

On Thursday, members will vote on an amendment from Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) requiring companies to use their oil lease land, or lose it, and another from Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) to prohibit the export of oil or gas produced under the bill on federal lands, among others.

{mosads}In late Wednesday debate, members approved three amendments to the bill by voice vote, from:

• David McKinley (R-W.Va.), to require the consultation and input of the National Energy Technology Laboratory under the Transportation Fuels Regulatory Committee when analyzing the effect of EPA rules and regulations on gas prices.

• McKinley, to require that the analysis include matters that affect the growth, stability, and sustainability of the nation’s oil and gas industries, particularly relating to that of other nations.

• Lee Terry (R-Neb.), to give the EPA the ability to waive certain fuel requirements in a geographic area, when there is a problem with distribution or delivery of fuel or fuel additives, for a period of 20 days, which could also be extended for another 20 days if the conditions exist.

Two others were rejected by voice vote, from:

• Jared Polis (D-Colo.), to ban hydraulic fracturing activities on federal land within 1,000 feet of a primary or secondary school.

• Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from conducting or authorizing any leasing, exploration, or development of oil and gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf without additional environmental review.