State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Twp.) has announced that the Ohio House of Representatives passed resolution to encourage investment in North American oil reserves to reduce Ohio’s dependence on foreign resources.

House Resolution 97—which Rep. Sears proposed in May—urges the United States Congress to support the continued and increased importation of oil derived from Canadian oil sands. It will also urge Congress to ask the U.S. Secretary of State to approve the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline project from Alberta to Oklahoma.

“I’m pleased that the House has passed this resolution in an effort to address skyrocketing gas prices and our dependence on overseas oil,” Rep. Sears said. “A partnership with Canada would directly benefit our economy as the money that would be spent on Canadian oil would likely be reinvested in U.S. goods and services. It is vital that we explore Canadian oil reserves and continue the responsible exploration for affordable energy.”

The United States currently depends on foreign imports for more than half of its petroleum usage. A recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy found that increasing importation of oil derived from Canadian oil sands has the potential to substantially reduce the U.S.’s dependence on sources outside of North America.

H.R. 97 passed with unanimous support in the Ohio House.