In December, the current administration in Washington released "The Domestic Natural Gas and Oil Initiative." This Initiative recommends specific actions to be taken within ten focus areas for producing more domestic energy. Members of the administration are making an effort to educate the public and Congress on the importance of the domestic natural gas and oil industry to the U.S.'s national and economic security.

Among the plans included in the initiative area:

• Review tax incentives to attract capital into the industry
• Increase gas and oil production and environmental protection through the development and application of technology
• Stimulate markets for natural gas
• Reduce the cost of regulation where applicable while maintaining environmental protection
• Encourage industry and government partnerships to build on America's technological lead in gas and oil exploration and production
• Assess the near and long-term economic, environmental and security implications of rising U.S. dependence on oil imports, via an integrated study, including various agencies.

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