STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - MICHAEL C. BURGESS

ENERGY AND AIR QUALITY HEARING

"Understanding the Peak Oil Theory"

December 7, 2005

First, I want to thank Chairman Hall for convening this hearing today.

There have been a number of articles in the press on this subject and I think the information provided in today's hearing will help this committee get beyond the rhetoric to the facts.

The geography of oil and gas has led our country to place our energy assurance in the hands of leaders such as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and inflexible or unstable dictators of the Middle East.

Today, the U.S. imports nearly 60% of its oil -- and this is expected to increase to 75% by 2010. Our traditional energy sources will only get us so far; we can't drill our way to energy independence; we need a balanced approach.

I believe that Congress should dedicate itself to achieving energy independence as soon as possible. This is an ambitious goal; one which will require industry, policy makers, and Americans to think of innovative approaches to meet our energy needs.

I look forward to learning more about how the peak oil theory takes into account so-called "unconventional" oil and gas sources, such as the tar sands of Alberta.

This morning as we discuss the peak oil theory, we should do so through the lens of changing technology.

In my district, we have seen first-hand the impact that technological change can have on energy supply. Forty years ago, there was no natural gas production in Denton County, Texas.

Since that time, the innovative people in the energy industry have developed technology to produce gas from "unconventional" natural gas shale formations. Today, the Barnett Shale, which is a natural gas shale located in North Texas, is expected to produce nearly 400 million cubic feet of gas this year.

Technology is constantly evolving, and with it, so-called "unconventional" energy sources become conventional. This is something that we must keep in mind as we discuss peak oil.

Again, Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing and I look forward to hearing from the witnesses.