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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04), Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08), celebrated the passage of three bills advanced by the Committee on Energy and Commerce to make our grid more reliable, lower energy costs for hard-working families, and get America back to building infrastructure.

H.R. 3638, the Electric Supply Chain Act, introduced by Chairman Latta (OH-05), H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act, introduced by Chairman Hudson (NC-09), and H.R.3628, the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act, introduced by Rep. Evans (CO-08), would help to provide essential information about our bulk power system, modernize the federal permitting process to expand our natural gas pipeline capacity, and ensure states are prioritizing the baseload power needed to keep the lights on.

Attributable to Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce:

“Since the beginning of this Congress, our Committee has fought to unleash the reliable and affordable energy that American families need,” said Chairman Guthrie. “These bills will help safeguard our energy security by bringing more baseload power online, strengthening our grid, and modernizing the federal permitting process. Thank you to Subcommittee Chairmen Latta and Hudson, and Congressman Evans, for your work on these vital pieces of legislation.”

Attributable to Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04), Speaker of the House of Representatives:

“House Republicans continue to implement a pro-growth agenda that puts hard hats back on American workers, gets shovels in the ground, and unleashes the economic potential our nation has been denied for years by Democrats’ waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Speaker Johnson. “Republicans are ending the era where unelected regulators and radical activist lawyers weaponize bureaucracy and misuse laws like the Clean Water Act to block economic development and restrict opportunity in America.

“For too long, Washington’s paralysis and partisan climate red tape has driven up costs, drawn-out reviews, and delayed construction of roads, pipelines, factories, and critical infrastructure. This week, House Republicans delivered commonsense deregulation and long-overdue reforms to repair a broken permitting system and remove barriers that have held America back. These bills codify more of President Trump’s executive orders and help unlock the full benefits and historic investments within our Working Families Tax Cuts. Republicans continue to advance pro-growth policies that expedite development, empower American industry, and create conditions for long-term competitiveness and prosperity.”

Attributable to Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy:

“Energy security is national security, and this bill brings us one step closer to unleashing American energy dominance,” said Chairman Latta. “The Electric Supply Chain Act will strengthen the reliability of our electric grid, secure our electric grid supply chains, and ensure we can power the artificial intelligence data centers of the future. Together, these efforts reinforce American-led energy production and security across the board. I’m grateful to my House colleagues for supporting this bill, and I urge the Senate to act on this critical legislation.”

Attributable to Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology:

“Delays in the construction of new natural gas pipelines drive up energy prices,” said Chairman Hudson. “My bill makes long-overdue modernizations to the permitting process by streamlining the regulatory authority of FERC. This makes sure the environment is protected, but no single state can arbitrarily block the construction of new pipelines.”

Attributable to Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08):

“For years Colorado’s ruling Democrats have pushed out-of-touch policies and burdensome regulations that have led to skyrocketing energy bills and increased financial strain, resulting in further mental and physical stress on hard-working families across the state,” said Congressman Evans. “This legislation puts Coloradans first by holding state regulatory entities like Colorado Public Utilities Commission accountable by new federal standards, to ensure they are focused on considering energy reliability and affordability. I’m proud to lead the charge on legislation that lowers costs, uplifts working-class Americans, and strengthens our nation's energy dominance.”

BACKGROUND:

H.R. 3638, the Electric Supply Chain Act – Rep. Latta (OH-05)

• The bill would direct the Department of Energy to conduct periodic assessments of supply chain constraints or vulnerabilities that could impact the bulk power system.
• The Biden-Harris Administration’s misguided energy agenda furthered our reliance on adversarial nations like China for critical materials and manufacturing for wind turbines, solar panels, and grid components that are needed for intermittent generation resources.
• As our nation’s electric system is under strain from premature retirements of baseload power and historic demand increases from manufacturing and technology, we must ensure our federal government and policy makers are equipped with the necessary tools to protect the affordability and reliability of the bulk power system.

H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act – Rep. Hudson (NC-09)

• Under current law, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is designated as the lead agency for coordinating necessary environmental reviews and associated federal authorizations for interstate natural gas pipelines.
• Unfortunately, pipeline infrastructure approvals are often delayed due to a lack of coordination—or inaction—among states and other federal agencies involved in the process. In 2026, the U.S. Energy Information Administration expects natural gas demand to reach an all-time. Now more than ever, it is critical we expand our natural gas pipeline capacity to meet that demand.
• This legislation modernizes the federal permitting process for interstate natural gas pipelines by bolstering FERC’s role as the lead agency for environmental reviews as the coordinator of Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality reviews. This legislation will help lower energy costs, provide natural gas to power our economy, and strengthen our nation’s energy security.

H.R. 3628, the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act – Rep. Evans (CO-08)

• This legislation would require state Public Utility Commissions to consider requirements for utilities to have sufficient generation from reliable and dispatchable energy sources, such as natural gas, nuclear, coal, and hydropower, over a 10-year period.
• The ongoing reliability crisis facing our nation stems from Democrat policies designed to drive out baseload generation in favor of intermittent wind and solar, harming our ability to onshore manufacturing and burdening households with higher costs.
• Running a grid on wind and solar is akin to paying for two parallel grids, in part, because these energy sources require backup resources when the wind does not blow or the sun does not shine. Residential ratepayers bear the financial burden of these choices.

Decision comes at the expense of America's energy security, jobs, and economy President Biden’s LNG export “pause” is a blatant political decision to appease his radical base at the expense of American energy security and the security of our allies. As Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) said , “This is another gift to Putin.” Our European allies are desperately seeking American energy to counter Russia’s weaponization of its natural gas exports. In December 2023, more than 87 percent of U.S. LNG exports went to the European Union, United Kingdom, or Asian markets. President Biden’s LNG export pause weakens global energy security and undercuts our efforts to help Europe reduce its reliance on Russian energy.  If President Biden were serious about his rush-to-green agenda, he would unleash the production and export of clean, affordable, and reliable American LNG—which has roughly 40 percent lower lifecycle emissions than Russian LNG. American LNG has allowed us to reduce emissions more than any other nation, and we have the capacity to continue helping countries reduce their emissions even further.   Studies show that LNG exports could add upwards of $73 billion to the U.S. economy by 2040, create upwards of 453,000 American jobs, and increase U.S. held purchasing power by $30 billion. President Biden’s decision to pause LNG exports jeopardizes all of this—Congress must act to reverse this decision.   Don’t miss what Energy and Commerce Republicans are saying:

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans, led by Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, wrote to Ford President and CEO James Farley regarding a new partnership with Chinese-owned Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) to build lithium iron phosphate batteries in the United States.  CLICK HERE to read FOX News's coverage: BACKGROUND :  Earlier this year, Ford announced it would invest $3.5 billion to construct a lithium iron phosphate battery plant in Marshall, Michigan.  According to Ford, its wholly-owned subsidiary will manufacture the battery cells using Chinese company CATL’s technology and services.  KEY LETTER EXCERPTS :  “While Ford has labeled this project a ‘commitment to American manufacturing’ and asserts it will create 2,500 new American jobs, we are concerned that Ford’s partnership with a Chinese company could aid China’s efforts to expand its control over United States electric vehicle supply chains and jeopardize national security by furthering dependence on China.”  […]  “Additionally, Members learned at this hearing that Chinese companies often supply their own workers to projects in Latin America and Africa, reinforcing fears that CATL will import workers for this facility rather that creating jobs for United States workers.”  […]  “We seek to learn more about whether this partnership, and others like it, will potentially exacerbate our reliance on China. Should China gain control of domestic electric vehicle production, the United States would be exposed to serious national security risks at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions.”  The Members requested information and answers to the following questions by September 18, 2023:  A copy of the complete licensing agreement between Ford and CATL, including any appendices, amendments, or addenda.  All documents and communications exchanged between Ford officers or employees and officials, appointees, employees, contractors, or consultants of the United States government referring or relating to Ford and CATL’s partnership and eligibility for tax credits and federal incentives.  Did Ford consider making a similar investment in a partnership with a non-Chinese company? If so, why did Ford ultimately decide to partner with CATL? If not, why did Ford not consider other partners?  How many CATL employees will CATL supply to the Facility?  What steps did Ford take to prevent or limit CATL’s ability to halt production unilaterally, such as at the direction of the Chinese government?  CLICK HERE to read the letter. 

Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) led subcommittee members in a field hearing last week in Moore County, North Carolina, on enhancing America’s grid security and protecting the grid from vulnerabilities, including cyberattacks. Before the hearing, E&C Republicans toured the Duke Energy power substation that was attacked in December—leaving 45,000 homes and businesses without power for five days. America's electrical grid keeps our hospitals, military bases, homes, and businesses powered. We MUST make sure the grid is secure to keep people safe and our economy moving. The North State Journal : Members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce came to Moore County for a Congressional field hearing about securing the nation’s energy grid on Friday, June 16. […] Rep. Richard Hudson, a member of the committee and resident of Southern Pines, called the field hearing essential and the start of a conversation. “This is a day we’ve been looking forward to for a long time. Testimony we hear today will set up a national discussion on grid vulnerability,” Hudson said in his opening statement. WNCN : Congressional leaders listened to testimony from a Duke Energy leader about the December power grid attack in Moore County. The attack crippled the electric grid for days and impacted 45,000 customers in the county. “This is a challenging thing for our whole industry,” Jeff Brooks, spokesperson for Duke Energy said. Brooks said the power company is making changes as grid attackers become more sophisticated. “Ways we can get essential equipment closer to the areas that we need it, to use mobile technology where we can. Plus, any deterrent measures we can in place,” Brooks said. Republican Congressman Richard Hudson lives in Moore County and was part of the hearing. He said adding cameras and walls to substations and bringing grids back online faster are just some solutions. “But that’s not enough,” Hudson said. Fox News’ Special Report with Brett Baier : “Tonight, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for answers after a major cyber intrusion on several government agencies. “Tonight, Democrats and Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are calling on the Biden administration to brief them on the major cyberattack that hit multiple federal agencies including the Department of Energy, saying saving people's lives and livelihoods are counting on the committee's work to protect critical infrastructure.” […] “The attack happened as the committee headed to North Carolina for a field hearing on securing the nation's power grid. Last December, someone shot up to power substations in Moore County, knocking out power to 45,000 people for days. According to the Energy Department, attacks on the power grid were up 77% nationwide from 2021 to 2022. Lawmakers say private utility companies need to do more to prevent attacks.” […] “Lawmakers are also deeply concerned about the supply chain right now. It could take up to two years to get a replacement transformer.” […] “Republican Congressman Richard Hudson introduced a bill this week that would prohibit the energy secretary from changing energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers for the next five years.” Highlights from Energy and Commerce Committee Members: Subcommittee Chair Duncan : “There have been several grid security incidents that have occurred recently that we are examining as part of our oversight responsibilities. “Within the last year, we have seen electrical transmission substations attacked in Tacoma, WA and here in Moore County. Both of these attacks resulted in blackouts that affected tens of thousands of people for multiple days. “Prior to these incidents, we saw one of the nation’s most critical pipelines, the Colonial Pipeline, suffer a cyberattack that created fuel shortages and price spikes that lasted weeks.” […] “We are also gathering the perspectives of the electric industry and state partners, to learn how we can harden our grid, improve situational awareness, and support response efforts. […] “I look forward to learning more about the substation attack that occurred here in Moore County so I can share lessons learned with the electric utilities and state officials in my home state of South Carolina and with my colleagues back in Washington, D.C.” Rep. Hudson: “Earlier this morning, we toured the Duke Energy West End substation, one of two substations in Moore County that was intentionally attacked on the evening of December 3rd, leaving my house and 45,000 of my neighbors without power for up to ten days. “In the aftermath of the attack, our hospital was impacted, threatening medical treatments, schools were shutdown, businesses were affected, stoplights were dark, gas stations were closed, cell signal was impacted, and water couldn’t be heated. “Our region suffered millions of dollars in damage—and just before the Christmas holiday.” […] “Since this attack occurred, I have been in listening mode. I have heard from constituents, grid operators, community developers, and business owners who have concerns with our grid’s security and resilience—all against the backdrop of historic energy costs. I share these concerns. “That’s why, as I promised in the days following the attack, I have brought Washington to North Carolina today. “I want to show my colleagues not just the numbers and facts of grid security and resilience, but the people personally affected and their experiences.” Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) : “By forcing states to adopt strict and specific spending targets... the funding is not as effective as it can be. One thing that we worry about is that one size fits coming out of Washington. What you do here in North Carolina might not work in Ohio.” […] “We need to hear from people in the states as they make these things work.” […] “My concern is – if we have a coordinated, massive attack, do we have the supply chain out there... because we have a vulnerability out there.” Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN): “In recent years, we’ve all been confronted with just how vulnerable the grid is. Physical, cybersecurity threats, weather events, and a laze of maintenance all contribute to the uncertainty for providers and rate payers.” […] “It’s critically important that private companies work with governmental agencies, including law enforcement.” […] “We’re going to have to reassess critical infrastructure... and make sure there is good coordination to prevent these attacks that could affect not only a large portion of the American people, but our national security.” Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL): “Depending on the time of year, when you knock out a system for a couple weeks, or longer, it’s not just about loss of business opportunities, it’s talking about loss of life.” CLICK HERE to watch the full field hearing. ICYMI: House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Frank Pallone requested briefings from the Biden administration last week following a major global cyberattack that affected several federal agencies, including the Department of Energy.

Moore County, NC — Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) delivered opening remarks today at the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Field Hearing in Moore County, NC, titled “ Enhancing America’s Grid Security and Resilience .” Subcommittee Chair Duncan's remarks as prepared for delivery: WHY WE MUST SECURE THE OUR GRID “Let me begin by welcoming everyone to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security’s field hearing, ‘Enhancing America’s Grid Security and Resilience.’ “As the Subcommittee Chairman, I am excited to be here in Moore County, North Carolina with my colleagues, at the invitation of my friend and colleague on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Richard Hudson. “The Energy and Commerce Committee exercises broad jurisdiction over Federal agencies and issues relating to the nation’s electric grid. “As part of these responsibilities, we work closely with the Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission—known as FERC—to ensure that our electric grid, and the utility companies that operate it, are well coordinated and prepared to address all hazards to the electric grid, whether they be severe weather, physical, or cybersecurity threats. “America’s power grid is the world’s most complex and highly interconnected system in the world. “The challenge of protecting it is immense and growing, especially as our power mix shifts away from centralized coal and natural gas power plants, to more distributed wind, solar, and battery generation. “According to the Energy Information Administration, our nation’s power grid consists of more than 7,300 power plants, 160,000 miles of high-voltage power lines, millions of miles of low voltage power lines, and more than 50,000 substations where transformers convert the raw electricity to higher or lower voltages. “Historically, natural events, especially severe weather, present the greatest risk to system reliability and resilience.” THE GROWING THREAT OF PHYSICAL AND CYBERATTACKS “However, we are also facing the growing threat of physical and cyberattacks to our electric grid and other energy infrastructure, like pipelines and electric substations. “There have been several grid security incidents that have occurred recently that we are examining as part of our oversight responsibilities. “Within the last year, we have seen electrical transmission substations attacked in Tacoma, WA and here in Moore County. “Both of these attacks resulted in blackouts that affected tens of thousands of people for multiple days. “Prior to these incidents, we saw one of the nation’s most critical pipelines, the Colonial Pipeline, suffer a cyberattack that created fuel shortages and price spikes that lasted weeks. “As Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, we are taking a close look at these incidents to gather lessons-learned and to determine whether Federal laws or regulations should be revised to enhance grid security and resilience. “We are also gathering the perspectives of the electric industry and state partners, to learn how we can harden our grid, improve situational awareness, and support response efforts. “With that, I would like to welcome our witnesses and thank them for appearing before us today. “I look forward to learning more about the substation attack that occurred here in Moore County so I can share lessons learned with the electric utilities and state officials in my home state of South Carolina and with my colleagues back in Washington, D.C.” Remarks as prepared for delivery from Rep. Hudson, whose district includes Moore County, North Carolina: THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF A GRID ATTACK “Welcome to Moore County! It is great to welcome my colleagues to my home here in the beautiful Sandhills. “I want to thank Chairman Jeff Duncan, our witnesses, and my colleagues for traveling to North Carolina, taking time to see the location of our grid attack, understanding it’s sophistication, and contributing to this important discussion on how we can learn from what happened here about the vulnerability of our energy grid. “There’s a number of VIPs in the audience. “I have to single out our sheriff, Ronnie Fields, for your incredible leadership, and in particular the way you stepped and you and your deputies for working with local law enforcement throughout this. Thank you, Sir, for the incredible job you do every single day. “Also, Senator Tom McInnis, thank you for your leadership on the state level in the State Senate. “Neal Jackson, our representative, and Ben Moss, they’ve been working on really important legislation. In fact, I think the governor today is signing legislation that you all worked on to increase penalties for attacks like this. I think that’s really important. “Earlier this morning, we toured the Duke Energy West End substation, one of two substations in Moore County that was intentionally attacked on the evening of December 3rd, leaving my house and 45,000 of my neighbors without power for up to ten days. “In the aftermath of the attack, our hospital was impacted, threatening medical treatments, schools were shutdown, businesses were affected, stoplights were dark, gas stations were closed, cell signal was impacted, and water couldn’t be heated. “Our region suffered millions of dollars in damage—and just before the Christmas holiday. “It really made the hundreds of pounds of room-temperature venison, elk, and duck in my freezer seem insignificant. “An attack like this could have devastated our community, and we didn’t go without our struggles.” MOORE COUNTY COMING TOGETHER “But overall, I am so proud of our resilient response. In the days and weeks that followed, the people here truly showed the best of Moore County, the best of North Carolina, and the best of America. “Community groups stepped in and ensured our vulnerable neighbors weren’t left without access to critical care and resources. “Within hours, churches like the First Baptist Churches of Aberdeen and Pinehurst and the Yates Thagard Baptist Church offered shower, laundry, and meal services. “Harris Teeter offered free ice for medicine and food. Staff and volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills partnered with our Food Bank to prepare 800 two-day care packages. “Our Fire and Rescue, Police Department, and library opened their doors for folks to access internet and charge devices. “And all throughout, I am grateful for the tireless and heroic efforts of Duke Energy and local providers, including Randolph Electric Membership Corporation, Lee Electrical Construction, and Pike Electric who worked tirelessly to replace vital equipment needed to restore service, in addition to charitable contributions to organizations providing necessary resources to our community. “It was inspiring to see everyone come together in our time of need and I want to reiterate my thanks to all those who assisted recovery efforts. “I also want to thank our sheriff and local law enforcement for continuing to follow tips and leads to determine who is responsible for December’s attack.” LISTENING AND ADVOCATING FOR SOLUTIONS “I share your frustration that we still haven’t found those responsible. “But in Washington, I have worked with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to coordinate classified member briefings from the FBI on their assessed threat to the grid. “I will continue to push the FBI to make addressing these attacks a priority and make sure the appropriate information sharing occurs so we can hold those responsible accountable and make sure this never happens again.”   BRINGING WASHINGTON TO NORTH CAROLINA “Since this attack occurred, I have been in listening mode. “I have heard from constituents, grid operators, community developers, and business owners who have concerns with our grid’s security and resilience—all against the backdrop of historic energy costs. I share these concerns. “That’s why, as I promised in the days following the attack, I have brought Washington to North Carolina today. “I want to show my colleagues not just the numbers and facts of grid security and resilience, but the people personally affected and their experiences. “Everyone needs to know the full impact of this kind of attack and the urgent need to address vulnerabilities this exposes in our grid. “There are 45,000 stories of why Moore County—and our nation—need greater grid resilience. “Now, we have the opportunity to hear from experts in the industry and those who call North Carolina home on the current state of our grid security, and how we move forward from these attacks. “My colleagues and I welcome these testimonies to help do our jobs effectively. “And I can guarantee when we head back to Washington, our critical energy transmission infrastructure and what vulnerabilities exist will be at the forefront of our conversations. “So, I thank my colleagues and thank our witnesses for being here today and look forward to working together on this critical issue.”

Proposed Standards Will Make it Harder for Americans to Afford New Cars Washington, D.C. — 151 House Republicans, led by Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging him to rescind the agency’s proposed emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. The EPA’s ill-conceived effort is just their latest attempt to carry out President Biden’s radical rush-to-green agenda, which will take away Americans’ choice when it comes to the kind of vehicle they drive—and arm-twist people into buying vehicles they can’t afford.   CLICK HERE to read exclusive coverage from Fox News.  Excerpts and highlights from the letter:  "We write to express deep concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) proposed standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. The proposals are the latest effort by the Biden administration to commandeer America’s transportation sector and force its complete vehicle electrification under the guise of mitigating climate change.    "The light- and medium-duty vehicle proposed standards are unworkable and impractical. EPA estimates that the proposed standards would lead to electric vehicles (EVs) accounting for 67 percent of new light-duty vehicle sales and 46 percent of new medium-duty vehicle sales in the United States by model year 2032. The projected statistics are a far cry from the current EV market share of 4.5 percent, making these standards a deliberate market manipulation to prop up EVs. Furthermore, a rapid shift towards EVs would benefit only the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as China has a stranglehold on the critical minerals supply chain and manufacturing of EV batteries. For example, China currently controls 50 to 70 percent of global lithium and cobalt refining that are necessary for EV batteries.  "Additionally, EVs are not necessarily better for the environment in terms of emissions reductions.  Specifically, over its lifetime, an EV only has lower emissions than an internal combustion engine vehicle if it travels between 28,069 and 68,160 miles and remains in service for more than 10 years – circumstances which are not being realized today.   "Worst of all, the proposed standards would make life harder and even more unaffordable for Americans and their families. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of an EV is $65,291, which is $17,197 more than the average price of an internal combustion engine vehicle. Insurance for electric cars costs $206 per month on average, which is $44 more per month than insuring a gas-powered car. Pricing is especially important, because access to a car is tied to improved economic outcomes for low-income households. Americans should not be forced into paying an excessive amount for a car they do not want and cannot afford. Also, the lack of driving range continues to be a problem with EVs. Forcing rural America into a largely EV future is condemning these communities into isolation.    "Given that the recent EPA announcement was only a proposal, we strongly urge you to rescind this ill-considered effort . Americans want the ability to choose the vehicle that best meets their needs, that is reliable, and that they can afford -- not be forced into buying an EV." CLICK HERE to read the full letter.   NOTE: The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee held a hearing on April 19 to expose the environmental, human rights, and national security risks of the Biden Administration's rush-to-green policies. CLICK HERE to watch the hearing and read opening statements and witness testimony.  

Energy and Commerce Republicans, led by Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), hosted a roundtable yesterday to discuss how people across the country are struggling with unaffordable energy costs caused by President Biden’s war on American energy. The panelists who participated in the roundtable discussion included: Dan Alsaker , President of Alsaker Corporation Jeff Eshelman , President and CEO, Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) David Hickman , Co-Owner and Operator of Dublin Farms, Inc. Donna Jackson , Project 21 Director of Membership Development Highlights from yesterday’s roundtable:  Chair Rodgers: “Our first event here of the 118th Congress is to focus on what has become unaffordable energy costs [in America]. We have an opportunity this congress to address what American families and businesses are facing and what they’re suffering from – some of the highest energy prices we’ve seen in decades.”  Mr. Alsaker (Panelist): “One of the things that I have to bring to your attention is that we employ about 400 people… but right now, hiring people, getting them to work, getting them affordable housing, getting them affordable energy to get to work, has lessened our staff down to about 300… and I need 400.”  Mr. Eshelman (Panelist): “Just yesterday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission came out with a report that they’re going to ban new natural gas stoves. They’re determining what kind of fuel you can use in your house, what kind of stoves you can cook with, what kind of cars you can drive. This is a personal intrusion that is happening across America into your personal lives, into your homes.”  Mr. Hickman (Panelist): “This is the most perilous time I think for American agriculture... the option farmers have today is: are they going to reduce fertilizer inputs, which will reduce yields in the long term… the world certainly doesn’t want [that] because it’s going to drive food prices even higher.”  Ms. Jackson (Panelist): “However tough high energy costs are on the middle class, it’s even worse for those who are trying to get to the middle class. The people that I represent, they are not coming to me and asking for government handouts... they’re asking for the opportunity to create their own economic freedom.” Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX): “Available, affordable energy, independent petroleum producers, the State of Texas, we stand ready. The difficulties are above the ground, not below the ground geologically. It’s self-inflicted.” Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH): “I had somebody come up to me not long ago in my district that told me that their monthly budget [which] was $100 a month is now $160 a month for their natural gas. They said, ‘what are we going to do to make that up? Are we just going to cut back on something else?’” Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY): “The people who are the most ardent climate change people pretend they’re for the downtrodden and so forth… [but] it limits people from moving forward if you don’t have reliable and sustainable energy.” Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA): “We need to stop thinking that we’re going to solve everything with renewables. They’re important, but we can’t do it all with renewables.” Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL): “[Permitting] is affecting my state of Florida with regard to the prices. We have a 42 percent increase over the national average.” Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) : “After the crippling inflation of the last couple of years, the high energy prices, [and] the massive amount of rush-to-green spending, our constituents did not get a return on their investment. They got a lower standard of living, a lower quality of life.” Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN): “The Biden administration’s anti-American approach has let down my constituents. For the past two years, Hoosiers in southwest and west-central Indiana have experienced high energy costs… these high costs have impacted businesses across my district, farmers, manufacturers, electricity providers, and small businesses on Main Street.” Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI): “A constituent of mine in Addison, Michigan is paying over $300 a month for propane to heat his home and $200 a month for electricity. $500 just to keep the lights on and the winter chill out.” Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA): “Georgia is the number one forestry state in the country... I’ve had so many foresters call me, and I’m not exaggerating, so many tell me ‘the price of diesel fuel is so high. I’m not going to be able to stay in business.’” Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC): “The United States’ abundance of natural gas has helped do more to lower our carbon emissions than anything else. I think an effort to bring more nuclear power online and utilize more natural gas in this country are important steps in both lowering energy costs but also lowering our carbon emissions.” Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL): “The war in Ukraine did not create the energy crisis. It exposed it.” Rep. Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL): “When President Biden took office, he wasted no time targeting the American energy sector. We know what happened next. Energy prices skyrocketed and Americans are paying the price. The Biden administration is responsible for the American people paying more at the pump and in the grocery store.” Rep. John Curtis (R-UT): “The impact of preventing climate change is worse than the impact of climate change. It doesn’t need to be that way. The more we look at the natural gas world, the more we realize that some of the very keys to a cleaner planet also are the same keys to energy independence, to a strong economy, and to low energy prices.” Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ): “I’m passionate about energy issues because it’s vital to every aspect of our lives.” Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN): “ I spent part of my career as National Director of Fuel for Circle K [convenience and gas stores] so I delivered fuel where it needed to be, when it needed to be… [sometimes] for many, many miles. You can get liquid fuel somewhere, you can’t get electricity anywhere it needs to be.” Rep. John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA): “American energy production, we all recognize, is safe, it’s clean, it’s the most efficient in the world. And yet at every turn, the Biden administration is putting up roadblocks for domestic production. Our successful future for energy independence is based on clean natural gas, it is based on advanced nuclear power, it is based on utilizing the energy sources under the feet of my constituents in Central Pennsylvania.” Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND): “I really care that we’re increasing the cost per bushel, per acre on a wheat field... The government is the reason your bread is more expensive.”

President Biden continues to turn to foreign dictators and adversaries for energy, rather than encouraging more oil and gas production here at home. Over the weekend, President Biden  issued permits  to drill oil in Venezuela. Earlier this month, he vowed “ no more drilling ” in the United States. Instead of reversing course on his rush-to-green agenda and war on American energy, President Biden is ceding our global leadership by making it easier for foreign dictators to profit off American consumers and use energy as a weapon. Energy and Commerce Republicans are calling President Biden and his administration out. If they were serious about reducing emissions and helping lower prices for Americans, they would flip the switch and unleash clean, reliable energy production here at home. READ: Key quotes from the  Fox Business  article: Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA):  “Instead of getting serious about flipping the switch for more energy production here in the U.S.—which would help lower energy costs and reduce emissions—the Biden administration continues to cede our global energy leadership to corrupt regimes.  Easing sanctions on Venezuela—a dictatorship allied with Iran—is just the latest example and harkens back to President Biden’s decision to waive sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline , which strengthened Putin and invited the attack on Ukraine. Rather than going hat in hand to our adversaries,  President Biden needs to abandon his war on American energy and join Republican efforts to unleash the abundant energy resources we have right here at home.” Energy Subcommittee Republican Leader Fred Upton (R-MI):  “Our nation needs to center on North American energy resources,  not depend on dictators elsewhere in the world.” Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND):  “They never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. When you do everything you can to stop domestic production, it’s a real problem…  Why would you reward the bad actors and hinder the good actors?” Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH):  “I wasn’t surprised to learn the Biden Administration is turning to Venezuela for oil. The President and his team have repeatedly demonstrated they will beg any nation for oil while consistently restricting energy production here at home. Now is the time for choosing. The world needs energy — American energy. This is a historic opportunity for our leaders to come back to reality and realize that  if we ruin our economy by pursuing these arbitrary ‘rush to green’ goals to achieve this ‘energy transition’ by shutting down our affordable and reliable energy resources, resource-rich rogue nations like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela will fill the void.” Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH):  “Since President Biden’s first day in office, he has made a concerted effort to crush domestic energy production. This effort now includes lifting sanctions on Venezuela’s authoritarian regime and reopening U.S. markets to import oil from Venezuela.  Instead of turning to authoritarian nations to supply our oil and gas, we should be investing in efforts to boost energy sources right here in the U.S.” More from Energy and Commerce Republicans: CLICK HERE  for Energy and Commerce Republicans’ solutions to unleash American energy and help lower prices, reduce emissions, and create more jobs.

Meet Susan Miner. She’s the owner of a family-owned and operated turkey farm in Pennsylvania. Susan says that surging fuel prices are making everything more expensive. This is hurting her business and forcing her to raise turkey prices more than any other time since 1954. “The stress level is way up. The feed prices are way up,” Susan said . 40-year high inflation and surging energy costs isn't just hurting Susan and her families’ livelihood – it's hurting hardworking Americans across the entire country. Thanksgiving will be a lot more expensive this year thanks to President Biden’s inflation crisis driven by his reckless government spending and war on American energy. Here’s what it means for families at the grocery store: Turkeys are up 23% Pumpkin pie mix is up 26.3% Milk is up 24.7% One pound of carrots and celery is up 20.5% Dinner rolls are up 40.2% Pie shells are up 52.1% Green peas are up 30.1% Whipped cream is up 28.7% Sweet potatoes are up 15.1% Cubed stuffing is up 38.1% Energy costs have skyrocketed due to President Biden’s war on American energy and this is making life unaffordable for Americans. The retail price of diesel alone in the U.S. has risen from a national average of $3.50 per gallon at the beginning of 2022 to $5.30 per gallon now, and there has been little relief since then. Natural gas has surged to a 14-year high and will get more expensive with the Democrats’ new natural gas tax. Fertilizer prices for farmers has surged 80% last year alone and have risen nearly 30% in 2022. Gas prices are up more than one dollar from when President Biden took office. U.S. inventories of distillate fuel — used in diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil — are at the lowest level since 2008. Some regions are experiencing inventory lows not seen since the 1950s. President Biden has leased the fewest acres of federal lands for oil and gas drilling under an administration since Harry Truman was president. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at its lowest level in nearly 40 years after President Biden drained it for non-emergency reasons. To lower the price of everything – including Thanksgiving dinner – we need to flip the switch on American energy. This is how we bring down the cost of living, improve people’s quality of life, boost our energy security, and reduce emissions. Don’t miss Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans sounding the alarm on how families will pay MORE for LESS thanks to President Biden’s inflation crisis: