H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, will lower costs across the board, unleash American energy, and cut America’s reliance on Chinese supply chains. Check out these highlights from Energy and Commerce Republicans’ recent op-eds in the Washington Times on the Lower Energy Costs Act published in a special feature on energy and environment policy.

Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC):

Our nation is blessed with abundant natural resources but is cursed with regulatory red tape that restricts our ability to utilize them. That’s why H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which unleashes our vast energy supply to meet the needs of Americans, was a leading priority for House Republicans this Congress. 

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So, why is H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, so important? The war on American energy production began on Joe Biden’s first day as President and has caused Americans to suffer from record-high energy prices across the board. Lowering energy costs is a leading priority because energy is the foundation of everything in American life—when the cost of energy goes up, everything else does too. When Biden took office just over two years ago, the national average for a gallon of gas was $2.39. At the time of this writing, that number is now $3.66, and we saw the national average for a gallon of gas reach a historic high of over $5 in June 2022. In Joe Biden’s America, many have been forced to choose between gas or groceries due to a self-imposed energy crisis.

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Energy security is national security, and Americans should never have to rely on our adversaries to supply our energy needs. The United States has incredible energy potential with vast reserves of oil, natural gas, and other critical minerals essential for energy dominance. H.R. 1 will allow us to unleash our potential to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy here at home and to our freedom-loving allies worldwide.

CLICK HERE for the full op-ed.

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA):

The Energy and Commerce Committee recently heard from David Hickman, a farmer, who described our current economy as, quote, “the most perilous time for American agriculture.” He’s right, and he’s not alone.

Every day that I’m in Georgia’s First Congressional District, whether I’m talking to a parent, a farmer, a teacher, a trucker, or a small businessowner, I hear the same concern: “Inflation is too high.” Everything, from diesel to food, is more expensive under this president, who cannot stop himself from spending your money, stealing your retirement funds, and stomping on your small business.

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I’m also glad that my bill, H.R. 1070, was included in this legislation and will bring necessary permitting reform and investment in America’s critical mineral processing.

We are losing to China in the race to supply the world with critical minerals, and it’s not even close. This bill is just one part of a much larger effort to fix permitting in our country and extends the official invitation to those who wish to invest in critical mineral processing to do so here, in America. My District, which includes all 100 miles of Georgia’s pristine coastline, is one of the few places in America that still mines critical minerals. We know how important it is for us to bring this life-saving supply chain home and we can do that by signing H.R. 1 into law.

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The question is not whether we need American energy, the question is how can we produce more of it so that we are reliant on ourselves, not China, to meet these basic needs? H.R. 1 is the answer and I urge the Senate to swiftly take up this legislation so we can deliver relief to the American people.

CLICK HERE to read the full op-ed.

Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL):

One of my constituents, Patricia is an 84 year-old resident of Hudson, Florida, who lives on a very restricted income with her 62 year-old disabled daughter. Their electric bill has gone up an average of $50.00 per month in the past year. In Florida, where the summers have always been long and hot, their electricity rates are expected to climb even higher. When coupled with other inflationary increases in the price of food and medicine, this mother-daughter duo has faced severe financial hardship. Daniel owns a lawn business in my district. Skyrocketing fuel prices have forced him to restrict his service territory and increase his rates by 30%. Another constituent, Brian, owns a small trucking company. His costs have gone up 70% since 2020, primarily due to the surge in energy costs. He is worried about being forced to close. These are just three stories of constituents who are struggling and need relief now.

The good news is that the House just passed the Lower Energy Costs Act. This critical bill will provide relief to consumers by: reversing the anti-energy policies of the Biden administration, reforming the permitting process, boosting domestic energy production, streamlining energy infrastructure and exports, and supporting the production and processing of critical minerals.

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New and emerging technologies will allow the United States to better harness the existing swath of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources that are available. By embracing these solutions, we can help modernize our infrastructure and ensure America continues to lead the world in reducing emissions - while keeping energy costs low for Americans. These pro-consumer and pro-environmental energy solutions are our nation’s best hope for the future!

CLICK HERE to read the full op-ed.

Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH):

Since President Biden’s first day in office when he canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline, he has made it clear that writing our own destiny when it comes to energy security is off the table. His administration launched a war on American energy, which has driven energy prices through the roof and hurt everyday Americans.

But beyond the sky-high prices, the Biden administration has also compromised national security by forcing more reliance on foreign adversaries to supplement our depleted energy reserves.

Look no further than the foreign energy cartel, OPEC. Its recent announcement to significantly cut oil production is poised to drive up U.S. energy prices even more. It is entirely unacceptable for the actions of a foreign adversary to have a direct effect on how much Americans pay for gas. If we had an energy strategy focused on production here in the United States, their actions wouldn’t be a concern to American consumers. But that is not the case. 

Now is the time to reverse this energy affordability crisis. House Republicans advanced a commonsense, bipartisan pro-energy bill H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act to counteract the Biden administration’s misguided energy policies.

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America can only write its own destiny if we continue to fight our future both at home and on the global stage. I am proud that the bipartisan Lower Energy Costs Act pushes back against radical, anti-America first energy policies pursued by this Administration so we can secure American energy independence and lower costs for families across America. Together, we can reverse course on failed energy policies.

CLICK HERE to read the full op-ed.

Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX):

There is one facet holding together the economic and national security of a Nation that allows businesses to grow and families to save for the future. The linchpin for all of this and more is energy.

Without access to affordable, reliable energy, nations crumble. Perhaps the most shocking example in recent years of the importance of reliable energy can be seen through Eastern Europe’s reliance on Russia for natural gas, which no doubt emboldened Vladimir Putin to wage war on Ukraine.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration’s anti-American energy policies are putting our country on a similar path of reliance, and it does not have to be this way. Only four years ago, the U.S. became energy dominant for the first time since the 1950s—largely thanks to industry innovation in the Permian Basin, also known as the shale revolution. We could again achieve energy independence to bring down costs for American consumers and end our reliance on foreign governments for energy.

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H.R. 1, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support, will lower costs for families by rolling back the Inflation Reduction Act’s taxes on energy production, costs that will be borne by the consumer. Additionally, this legislation will strengthen our energy security by increasing domestic energy production, updating our permitting process, streamlining energy infrastructure and exports, and boosting the production and processing of critical minerals.

While President Biden chose to target American energy since day one, this Republican majority has prioritized American energy since day one. Just weeks into the 118th Congress, we have passed legislation to depoliticize the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, prohibit sales of that oil to the Chinese Communist Party, and now reduced barriers to the production of all American energy through H.R. 1. It is a complete rejection of the Biden Administration’s anti-energy policies and provides an opportunity to make OPEC+ irrelevant in the global energy market.

CLICK HERE for the full op-ed.

Reps. John Curtis (R-UT) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA): 

As Republicans, we support policies that can lower energy costs for people, help our nation become energy independent, and lower global carbon emissions. This is why HR 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, is so important. It helps us accomplish all three. 

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America has vast natural resources, and opening domestic mining and manufacturing can begin to replace a critical minerals supply chain dominated by China. We cannot build a clean energy future that is reliant on minerals produced by countries with human rights violations and without any regard for environmental standards.  

HR 1 is not just about advancing American energy. It is also critical to lift communities at home and abroad out of energy poverty. We cannot leave the developing world in the dark, and HR 1 can help provide them with access to cleaner, more affordable energy.  

This legislation is an opportunity for the United States to reemerge as a global leader and power the world with our clean resources, all while creating more jobs at home. It’s past time for the U.S. to rise to the occasion and provide clean, affordable, and reliable energy to the world. If we can set the standard, other nations are sure to follow. 

CLICK HERE to read the full op-ed.