Nickles introduces U.S. oil, gas production bill

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), May 23, 1997

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Don Nickles and Rep. Wes Watkins have introduced legislation to stave off America's dependence on foreign oil production.

Nickles, R-Okla., a member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said the United States imports more than half of the crude oil products it uses.

At the same time, domestic production has declined 44 percent in the lower 48 states, he said Tuesday as he introduced a measure in the Senate. "This is a dangerous combination of trends for the oil and gas industry. More importantly, it is dangerous for natural security," Nickles said. Watkins, R-Okla., introduced a companion bill in the House.