U.S. Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) was proud to host the Energy & Commerce Committee in Midland, Texas for a field hearing on “American Energy Expansion: Improving Local Economies and Communities’ Way of Life.”

Local leaders testified before the committee about the importance of the oil and gas industry to the Permian Basin community and national security.

Photos can be downloaded courtesy of the office of Rep. August Pfluger here. Watch the full hearing here.

Witnesses included:

• The Honorable Lori Blong, Mayor of Midland, Texas, and President of Octane Energy 
• Mr. Adrian Carrasco, Chairman, Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and President of Premier Energy Services 
• Mr. Steven Pruett, President and CEO, Elevation Resources, Chairman of the Board for Independent Petroleum Association of America 

Excerpts and highlights below from Rep. Pfluger:

THE ROLE THE PERMIAN BASIN PLAYS

“Midland, Texas, Odessa, Texas, the Permian Basin, are where our nation’s energy debates should take place.

“And I’m excited that our community gets to showcase how the Permian Basin—and those in the audience today—are indispensable to America’s economic and national security.

“Under Chair Rodger’s leadership, this Committee is committed to engaging with local communities to understand the challenges the American people are facing—many of which have been inflicted by this administration.

“Thankfully, this city anchors the most important region that is poised to solve many of the critical issues facing our nation, and our world.”

THE PATRIOTIC SPIRIT OF THE PERMIAN BASIN

“If you listen to the White House, oil producing regions are greedy and unpatriotic, but nothing could be further from the truth.

“The story of the Permian Basin is one of innovation, unending entrepreneurial spirit, and community.

“In fact, Permian Basin producers have a long history of rising to the occasion.

“Extraordinary cooperation between the US government and American oil companies is what helped win World War II, as Permian crude literally fueled General Patton’s infiltration of the German border and eventually the defeat of Hitler.

“It is often quipped that the war was won by an inch, and that’s true.

“The US launched two incredible pipeline construction projects: the Big Inch and the Little Big Inch.

“The ‘Inch Lines’ delivered more than 500,000 barrels of Permian oil per day to the Northeast for the war effort and helped successfully safeguard the precious commodity from U-boat attacks.

“These pipelines are still in use today.

“Then again in 2008, another engineering feat allowed Permian Basin producers to rise to the occasion when hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling enabled the US to significantly increase production of oil and natural gas leading to what is infamously known as the shale revolution.

“This put OPEC on its heels—establishing US energy as an invaluable tool for our national security.”

THE SHALE REVOLUTION

“The impacts of the shale revolution have been undeniable. In 10 years, production in the Permian has grown from well under 1 million bpd to over 5.4 million bpd presently.

“That is over 40 percent of US production.

“Globally, the share of crude oil production coming from Permian has grown from 1 percent in ’07, to nearly 6 percent right now.

“Just like it did throughout World War II, the Permian Basin is doing its part to make this country energy secure—helping fulfill Europe’s needs as they wean themselves off Russian gas.

“You cannot understand US energy dominance without visiting the Permian Basin or visiting with local leaders like we are today.

“I am excited for the Committee to hear from our excellent witnesses and discuss how current policies are affecting their operations.