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I recently had the opportunity to visit New Horizons Medical Center in Owenton. In addition to visiting with several patients, I was able to discuss rural health issues and challenges with New Horizons' medical staff and doctors. Pictured above with me are New Horizons Administrator Bernie Poe and Dr. Eric Baumann.
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Weekly Column: The Truth about the "Use It or Lose It" Legislation
As families and friends gather to celebrate the Fourth of July, the United States is unfortunately no closer to declaring independence from foreign oil producers. Throughout June, gas prices broke records as the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded hovered around $4.08. Instead of following the Republicans' lead and offering real energy solutions, Democrats continue to offer ineffective legislation that does not help American families afford the price at the pump.
The Democrat's latest "solution" to our nation's energy crisis was introduced last month by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV). H.R. 6251, also known as the Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act of 2008, would force oil and gas companies to surrender federal onshore and offshore leases if the companies do not drill on the territory and produce energy within a certain time period. This so-called "Use It or Lose It" legislation not only fails to create any new energy or provide relief at the pump, it is already the law of the land.
Under current law, the Secretary of the Interior can cancel a federal energy lease if the leaseholder fails to comply with the law, regulations or the terms of the lease. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, if the leased territory contains a well capable of producing significant quantities of oil or gas that the leaseholder is not extracting, the lease will be cancelled. Moreover, federal energy leaseholders already operate under a timeline: according to United States Code, they must produce oil or natural gas within five years of entering into an offshore lease and ten years of entering into any onshore lease.
In fact, sixteen years ago, Congressman Rahall and now-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi helped pass an amendment to the Comprehensive National Energy Policy Act that established the original ten year timeframe for energy production on federal lands.
This "Use It or Lose It" legislation stems from the false claim that energy companies are currently "sitting on" leases for 68 million acres of government land and waters. The bill ignores the fact that the process of bringing a new field into production can take years of mapping, testing, drilling and construction. Although a field may be listed as "idle" or "not in production", the company is most likely in the complicated and time-consuming process of exploring, permitting and developing the land for drilling.
It is time for Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to develop real solutions to our nation's energy crisis, instead of wasting time debating laws that already exist. No fewer than five national surveys conducted in the last month have shown that the American people overwhelmingly support increased responsible exploration of domestic energy sources.
We must implement a comprehensive national energy strategy that focuses on using American resources in the short term, increasing conservation and efficiency, developing alternatives and seriously investing in research to make the next generation of technology safe and affordable.
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D.C. and District Talk
Tell our troops: America Supports You
 If you have wondered how you can show your support for the men and women of the military who are fighting for our freedoms and way of life, click here. America Supports You is a nationwide program launched by the Department of Defense that recognizes citizens' support for our troops and communicates that support to all the members of our armed forces. Volunteer opportunities, ways to send messages of support and donation information are all available on the website.
As we celebrate our independence, please take the time to thank those who preserve our freedom.
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Constituent Corner
Prevent West Nile Virus by avoiding mosquito bites
West Nile Virus (WNV) remains a serious public health concern this summer, but Kentuckians can dramatically lower their risk of contracting the illness by taking steps to avoid mosquito bites. Historically, this is the time of year when Kentucky sees increasing reports of West Nile Virus cases. With that in mind, along with recent West Nile cases in other States, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services urges residents to maintain prevention efforts until a hard freeze occurs.
West Nile is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and can result in a deadly virus or West Nile fever, a less dangerous illness which typically produces flu-like symptoms. Birds and horses also can be affected. The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) recommends that Kentuckians:
- Eliminate mosquito breeding areas by removing standing rainwater as it accumulates.
- Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors.
- Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's directions for use printed on the product labels.
- Since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin, DEET, picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. For more information on insect repellants, visit .http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm
- Report swimming pools that are neglected and in a state of disrepair.
Dogs and cats also are susceptible to WNV, so pet owners should use a veterinarian-recommended mosquito and tick repellent. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's directions for use printed on the product. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture sprays for mosquitoes at the request of local governments and health departments. A KDA county spraying schedule and more information about the program are available on the Web at .http://www.kyagr.com/consumer/envsvs/PestWeed/MosquitoControl.htm
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Division of Forestry offers summer tips to protect your home and community from wildfires
The Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) reminds Kentucky landowners and homeowners that wildfires can strike any time where grass and brush are dry enough to burn. With July 4th celebrations coming up, it is important to remember that mishaps from fireworks can potentially spread wildfires that threaten homes, property, wildlife habitat and forests. Community fireworks presentations sponsored by cities and towns across the Commonwealth offer a good alternative to bringing fireworks into your home.
Campfires are another potential source of wildfire. A campfire should be less than four feet in diameter, with at least a 10-foot clearance around it. Always keep water and a shovel handy and use both of them to put out fires. Campfires should never be left unattended and they should be completely extinguished before leaving the area. Campers should also be cautious when driving in backcountry areas. Faulty mufflers and catalytic converters can leave sparks and fires behind a vehicle; therefore, it is important to limit driving to approved roads and areas.
Unsafe burning of brush piles and other debris may also lead to escaped fires. Safety precautions should be taken and weather conditions considered before conducting any outdoor burning. It is illegal to burn garbage or other materials, except natural plant matter such as yard waste and brush. County solid waste programs have information on debris collection or drop-off sites. Check with your local fire department, the Kentucky Division of Forestry, the Kentucky Division for Air Quality and the Kentucky Division of Waste Management to make sure you are complying with local and other State outdoor-burning regulations.
The best way to protect property is to prevent wildfires from getting started in the first place. Homeowners who live in or near forested areas should prune and remove flammable plant and debris. Reducing the amount of fuel from shrubs, dead plant material and firewood will help create a defensible space around your home. Fire-resistant materials such as Class-A shingles, tile, or metal adds further protection. Homeowners should also make sure that house numbers and road names are clearly marked for emergency vehicles.
For more information about Firewise practices, visit the Kentucky Firewise website at or contact the Kentucky Division of Forestry at (502) 564-4496. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services has also established a website that offers a wide range of safety tips on a variety of summer activities: .http://chfs.ky.gov/summersafety08http://www.forestry.ky.gov/programs/firewise/
Saving energy with EnergySavers.gov
As we continue to work toward increasing our supply of domestic energy, a few small changes can help save you a couple bucks. The U.S. Government Web site links on EnergySavers.gov take you directly to resources available across federal agencies for homeowners, contractors and builders, building managers, realtors, state agencies, drivers and fleet managers, and industry managers. EnergySavers.gov also provides information on the Partnerships for Home Energy Efficiency (PHEE). This joint effort between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is a federal agency collaboration that aims to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Learn more about Partnerships for Home Energy Efficiency.
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The dangers of childhood obesity
In 1963, the average weight of a 10-year-old girl and boy were 77 pounds and 74 pounds, respectively. Today, those averages have increased to 88 pounds for girls and 85 for boys. These numbers shouldn't be shocking when you consider that soft-drink consumption has increased 300 percent over the past 20 years and is the leading source of added sugars for children. Even when Americans do eat vegetables, it is likely in the form of french fries or chips - both of which make up 25 percent of all vegetables eaten in the United States.
Eating habits like these have led to a generation that, for the first time in American history, may have a shorter life span than their parents. Health risks ranging from heart disease to high blood pressure and liver disease to asthma can all be lowered by eating healthier. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can help you with this. MyPyramid.gov educates Americans about what foods we should be eating and what portions of those foods we should have each day.
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Federal Law Protects Children's Privacy Online
This is the last of a five-part series on online security
 Less than a decade ago, children of all ages could freely disclose personal information online. Many online games that offered prizes required contestants to provide addresses, full names and telephone numbers. Chat rooms often contained similar requirements for use. These websites would then sell this information to advertising companies that would compile mailing lists targeting potential child customers based on their interests. As vast amounts of children's personal information accumulated on the World Wide Web, parents and lawmakers decided to curb the sale of children's information by establishing requirements for website operators.
In 1998, Congress passed the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA is designed to prevent disclosure and dissemination of children's personal information. Operators of websites targeting children under the age of thirteen must now provide parents notice of their information practices and obtain parental consent before collecting or disclosing children's personal information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has expanded this legislation by creating rules that require these websites to provide the contact information for all operators who maintain personal information. These sites must also list the type of personal information that has been collected and publicize whether they will disclose information to third parties. Further, parents can review the child's personal information and ask the website operator to delete it to prevent any further use of the information.
If your children want to use a website that collects personal information, you should carefully read the privacy policy that is available through a link on the homepage. There are usually three privacy options to choose from: a blanket consent agreement, consent to collect personal information but forbidding its use by a third party, or refusal to permit the collection of any information. Since these websites are required to verify parents' identities, they will often follow up with a phone call or email. When reading through the website's privacy policy, you should pay close attention to how the site will use personal information and what companies will be supplied with the information.
Many websites no longer attempt to collect children's personal information. Paying the additional personnel needed to fulfill the FTC rules often drains profits that could have been gained from selling personal information to third parties. Additionally, expensive lawsuits against websites that had failed to comply with COPPA have persuaded other site operators to discontinue personal data collection. The FTC can impose civil penalties for COPPA violations and State attorneys general may file suit in federal district court to both enforce compliance and obtain compensation. Therefore, COPPA has had a definite positive impact on the number of websites collecting children's personal information.
For a detailed discussion of COPPA's requirements, please visit: .
The FTC also maintains a website devoted to COPPA. You can view the site at:
.http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/kidzprivacy/adults.htmhttp://www.coppa.org/comply.htm
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Constituent Hours
Every month, members of my staff are available throughout the Fourth Congressional District to assist local residents with problems related to the federal government.
Please click here to see the current list of scheduled times and locations in your area. Appointments are not necessary. As always, constituents are welcome to contact our offices in Washington, D.C., Ashland, La Grange, Ft. Mitchell, Maysville and Williamstown at any time with questions or concerns.
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Legislative News
Legislative Week in Review
The House of Representatives was in not in session this week for the Independence Day District Work Period.
You can find more information on each of these bills and keep up-to-date on their progress as they move through the legislative process by visiting and typing in the bill number. http://thomas.loc.gov
Anticipated Action on the House Floor Next Week
The House of Representatives will be in session Tuesday through Friday.
Information on next week's schedule can be found on the Office of the Clerk's website for upcoming legislation: . This site provides up-to-date information on House legislative schedules.http://clerk.house.gov/legislative/index.html
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This Day in History - July 3rd
- 1775 - George Washington takes command of the Continental Army.
- 1863 - During the Civil War, the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg culminates with Pickett's Charge.
- 1884 - Dow Jones published its 1st stock average.
- 1886 - The New York Tribune becomes the first newspaper to use a linotype machine, eliminating typesetting by hand.
- 1898 - During the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Navy destroys the Spanish fleet near Santiago, Cuba.
Thanks!
Happy Independence Day!
As always, feel free to pass my e-newsletter on to family or friends who would be interested or let them know they can sign up on my website at . Thanks.http://GeoffDavis.house.gov/
| Sincerely, |
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Geoff Davis
Member of Congress |
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