Romney would use US oil, coal to the 'fullest extent'

Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney is vowing to develop U.S. energy resources to their “fullest extent” by knocking down barriers he says are rooted in “environmental extremism.”

The former Massachusetts governor — in a USA Today column Monday — lists wider energy development as a key plank in the economic strategy he intends to unveil in detail Tuesday.

Romney writes:

The Obama administration has severely restricted domestic energy production. I will ensure we utilize to the fullest extent our nation's nuclear know-how and immense reserves in oil, gas and coal. By rationalizing and streamlining regulation, we will harness these resources everywhere it can be done safely, taking into account local concerns. A huge number of jobs is at stake. So, too, is the price of energy, which strongly influences economic growth. We are an energy-rich country that, thanks to environmental extremism, has chosen to live like an energy-poor country. That has to end.

Romney’s attack mirrors those of other GOP White House hopefuls and lawmakers that allege Obama administration policies are too restrictive.

The GOP-led House has passed several bills this year that would mandate faster oil-and-gas permitting in the Gulf of Mexico and a major expansion of U.S. offshore areas available for drilling.

Their efforts address other energy sources. For instance, Republicans — joined by some coal-state Democrats — are seeking to block EPA efforts to tighten water pollution controls on mountaintop-removal coal mining in Appalachia.

This post was updated at 7:15 a.m.