Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Tapping our Energy Potential


Photo of the Week

This week I joined several of my Congressional colleagues touring an oil exploration rig in the Gulf. This trip gave me a unique perspective for my work on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Subcommittee on Energy & Power. The photo above was taken in the Control Room of the drilling center where pressure, kickback, and other issues are monitored. 

 

Weekly Update:
This was a busy week of travel and learning. I began my week touring an oil rig along the Gulf Coast with several colleagues from the Energy & Power subcommittee. During this trip, I took part in a roundtable discussion on offshore energy production and was able to gain a unique insight into the full extent offshore oil exploration and production contributes to the economy. The Gulf currently provides the United States with approximately 30% of our domestic oil supply.

Offshore energy production is an important part of House Republicans’ “all-of-the-above” energy strategy which provides thousands of jobs in the Gulf region alone. If we are able to tap into the Atlantic’s offshore oil and gas resources, by 2035 we stand to gain over 55,000 new jobs, $26 billion in revenue and spending and $4 billion annually contributed to the North Carolina economy. Below you will find additional information and photos from my trip to the Gulf.

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of joining friends and neighbors in the 7th Annual Kellie’s Krew, Ltd. 2015 Run for a Cure. This race is held each year in honor of my dear friend, Kellie Hinshaw, who passed away in 2014 after a courageous battle with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Kellie’s Krew was formed to raise awareness, advocate for a cure, and provide encouragement and support to those undergoing treatment. Kellie is just one of the many reasons the 21st Century Energy and Commerce Cures Initiative is so important. I am grateful to take part in this race, and serve on a Committee, that is so committed to finding cures.

The August Work Period has been both fun and productive. It has been great to spend several weeks here at home in North Carolina seeing friends, meeting with business owners, and visiting around the district. This week back in D.C. will certainly be a busy one, but I look forward to what’s in store for the remainder of 2015.

As always, please let me know how we can better serve you by contacting either our Asheboro, Dunn, or D.C. offices.

 

 

Tapping our Energy Potential
 

This photo is of me and my Congressional colleagues at Port Fourchon in Louisiana on Monday for a roundtable discussion about offshore energy production and the effect of unnecessary federal regulations on the industry. Port Fourchon serves as a distribution center with many companies servicing offshore production in the Gulf providing a wide range of goods and services including ship maintenance and repair, with 1200 trucks in and out of the port each day providing support.

Jobs resulting from offshore oil production include many you would expect related to construction, production and maintenance — such as high tech fields for programmers and engineers, as well as trades professions such as mechanics.

  Jobs on an oil rig and the surrounding area also include those in the trucking, food service and hospitality industries, to name just a few.The average salary for jobs related to the offshore oil industry in the Gulf is $57,000.

 

This trip allowed me and my congressional colleagues a firsthand look at offshore energy production. As a member of the Energy & Commerce Committee and the subcommittee on Energy & Power this perspective was particularly helpful.

 
Kellie’s Krew 5K Run

 It was great running in the 7th annual Kellie’s Krew 5K Run last Saturday. This event was held in downtown Dunn, and there was a sea of supporters to celebrate her legacy!

 
 There was great turnout for the 5K race. Weather warm, spirits were high and athletes were fast!
[Photos shown here used with permission of KC Photography. See more photos from Kellie’s Krew 2015 Run for the Cure here.]

 

Happy Labor Day!