Vitter unveils bill to expand drilling, block EPA climate rules

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) unveiled legislation Thursday that would expand domestic oil-and-gas drilling and block Environmental Protection Agency climate regulations.

It’s the latest bill from Republicans that would expand domestic drilling. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) released three drilling bills this week.

The legislation would require lease sales for offshore oil exploration, open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling, mandate action on onshore drilling permits and block EPA climate regulations.

The bill has 28 co-sponsors in the Senate. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) introduced companion legislation in the House.

Vitter’s bill comes as Republicans have taken aim at the Obama administration’s energy policies, specifically arguing the Interior Department is moving too slow to issue drilling permits at a time when Americans are worried about high oil and gas prices.

“Yesterday, the president offered some vague platitudes, but no concrete plans to rein in rising gas prices, even as they climb toward $4 per gallon,” Vitter said in a statement. “Today, we’re laying out a far different path by introducing our legislation.”

Experts largely agree that an expansion of domestic oil and gas drilling will have little near-term effect on oil and gas prices.