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PATASKALA, Ohio - U.S. Representative Troy Balderson joined Ohio energy advocates Wednesday at an oil and gas well site in Licking County, Ohio to announce a resolution he introduced this week in the House of Representatives officially recognizing American natural gas as a "green and clean" energy source. 

Rep. Balderson's resolution recognizes American natural gas as an affordable, green energy source and calls for the United States to commit to an "all-of-the-above" approach to meeting our energy needs. In Ohio alone, natural gas has already reduced carbon emissions from power generation by an astounding 38 percent. 

"It's green. It's clean. And it's abundant right under our feet, right here in Ohio," said Rep. Troy Balderson. "Unleashing America's abundant natural gas is the solution to affordable energy, a cleaner environment, and lessening our reliance on bad actors. This resolution recognizes the leading role of natural gas in powering our daily lives and rejects the false notion that a cleaner environment can only be achieved at the peril of the United States' energy security and independence."

The resolution also calls on the Biden Administration to support natural gas infrastructure and the production of natural gas by identifying and removing barriers for producers. 

"As a local business in Licking County, Knox Energy is honored to have Congressman Balderson visit our well site. Knox Energy is an Ohio conventional oil and gas producing company and we are proud to be developing natural gas supplies here in Ohio for over 20 years," said Mark Jordan, president of Knox Energy, Inc.

"Ohio is a prime example of how our country should utilize and embrace its abundant natural gas resources in the pursuit of a cleaner environment," said Rob Burndrett, president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association. "I commend Congressman Balderson for being a leader who recognizes this reality and understands that natural gas is critical to achieving a clean, secure, and prosperous America for years to come."

"Homegrown Ohio natural gas is the solution to providing the essential energy our country needs," said George Brown, executive director of the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program. "It's abundant, affordable, and American-made. Thanks to cutting-edge innovation, it's cleaner and safer than ever before. And Ohio agrees. 70 percent of Ohioans support natural gas and oil development - and 82 percent say the natural gas and oil industry is essential to their daily lives."

"The Biden Administration's energy policies are inflicting needless financial pain on American families and businesses, and, thus far, it has not offered meaningful solutions," said Chris Ventura, executive director at the Consumer Energy Alliance. "We hope the House of Representatives will bring Congressman Balderson's common-sense resolution to the Floor for bipartisan approval - and help people across Ohio and America suffering from twin energy and inflation crises."

"The fact is domestic energy, produced right here in Ohio, is not only affordable and reliable, but it's also clean. It's time that those in Washington start talking about it that way," said Adrienne Robbins, spokesperson for the Utica Energy Alliance. "The resolution Representative Balderson is proposing here today will help turn that tide... allowing lawmakers, and everyone else to see what Ohioans already know - that natural gas brings incredible benefits to our economy, environment, and country."

Rep. Balderson's resolution has also received support from the Ohio Gas Association, Marcellus Shale Coalition, and the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia. 

Combined, the Marcellus and Utica shale deposits, which span across Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, contain a total of 214 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas.

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