WASHINGTON, DC. — With gas prices continuing to linger above $4 per gallon going into the July 4th congressional break, Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi to immediately bring an end to a shortsighted prohibition, which denies federal agencies from contracting for or using coal-derived fuels. Rogers joined like-minded Members of Congress in signing a discharge petition to bring up legislation to repeal Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act.

“With skyrocketing gas prices, it is absurd the reticence of Speaker Pelosi and her leadership team to deny consideration of diversifying our fuel stock and easing prices at the pump,” stated Rogers. “This senseless ban was slipped into legislation at the 11th hour and discourages coal-to-liquids development. The U.S. Air Force is clamoring for a domestic jet fuel alternative as prices have tripled in three years. We as a nation are wise to use our own energy resources and utilize our abundance of coal.”

Coal-to-liquids is the process of converting coal into a transportation fuel and continues to hold great promise as a domestic alternative to foreign oil, particularly for diesel and jet fuel purposes. Section 526 effectively prohibits any federal agency from entering into a contract for an alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use. The discharge petition calls for immediate repeal of Section 526.

With a simple majority of signatories, a discharge petition requires a legislative measure to be considered by the full House of Representatives under the rules. In recent weeks, Rogers has signed a number of petitions calling for Speaker Pelosi to bring federal legislation which reduces gas prices to the floor for debate. These measures include lifting the 28-year ban on new oil and gas leases along the outer continental shelf, opening up 2000 acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, and immediately permitting three new gasoline refineries.

Rogers will continue to press Speaker Pelosi to bring forward legislative measures to reduce the price of gasoline for the American public and urge the President to work with Congress to increase the production of American energy.