Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Federal Proposals To Take Over Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

Gov. Rick Perry today issued the following statement regarding legislation contemplated by Congress that would effectively strip states of the right to regulate oil and gas exploration and production within their own borders:

"This week, I joined a number of state leaders in urging the Texas Congressional delegation to fight back against this latest encroachment into states' authority, which would effectively strip states of the right to regulate oil and gas exploration and production within their own borders.

"This pending legislation represents a sad continuation of Washington's ongoing efforts to seize control over every facet of American industry and life, efforts that continue to place untold numbers of Texas jobs at risk. This latest takeover attempt is as unprecedented as it is illogical, given that it essentially hands authority over all gas and oil exploration to the same people who were overseeing the process when the Deepwater Horizon exploded."