Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s hearing titled “America’s Future: Leading a New Era of Energy Dominance, Security, and Environmental Stewardship.”

AMERICA’S GLOBAL ENERGY LEADERSHIP 

“The world is a safer and more secure place with American leadership. And this means leadership with our energy, our technology, and our values.   

“As we continue our path towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air and water, we cannot lose sight of the role energy plays in assuring our economic future, our nation’s security, and the security of our allies.  

“We also cannot lose sight of the fact that the world will demand more energy, not less, in the future.  

“Developing nations are hungry for the benefits of reliable, affordable energy that will help lift their people out of poverty and into prosperity.  

“Because of this demand, there will be a great energy expansion in coming years. And America should play a key role in this expansion, not retreat from it, not deprive the world of the benefits of our abundant resources and technologies.  

“Pro-growth energy policies, a predictable regulatory environment, and the American entrepreneurial spirit, enabled America to be a leader in energy production while simultaneously reducing emissions.  

“We led the world in reducing carbon dioxide emissions while also becoming the world’s number one producer of oil and natural gas.  

“The air is cleaner globally and our allies in Europe and Asia are more energy secure because of America’s high-quality energy production and exports. 

“Last week, in our Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials subcommittee, we highlighted how the United States is leading the world in reducing emissions of all types and the types of policies that have contributed to this success. 

“Today, we will focus on what is needed to continue success and preserve the benefits of American energy dominance, our security, and the environmental benefits that can flow from that.” 

BUILDING A STRONG ENERGY MIX 

“The United States has become the number one producer of oil and natural gas because of policies that allowed the private sector to innovate and advance their technologies. And we do it cleaner and safer than other countries. 

“US LNG exports are 40 percent cleaner than Russian LNG and is cleaner than other alternative fuels.  

“Using our gas and gas turbine technologies to meet the demand of the developing world will lead to lower emissions as we heard in testimony just last week. It will also meet our paramount interest in assuring national and energy security.  

“Unfortunately, the approach taken by this Administration seeks an aggressive regulatory agenda and transition away from our energy strengths. 

“The result would be less reliable and affordable energy and an increased reliance on adversarial nations that have little to no environmental or labor standards.   

“As we become weaker our adversaries become stronger.  

“H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, passed by the House earlier this Congress, recognizes this and seeks to restore American Energy Dominance by increasing domestic energy production, modernizing the permitting process, boosting the production of critical minerals to secure our energy supply chains, and streamlining permitting for energy exports.” 

STRENGTHENING OUR NUCLEAR LEADERSHIP 

“A key goal of restoring American energy dominance will be to strengthen our nuclear industry and leadership. 

“Of course, nuclear energy is our nation’s leading source of emissions free energy, but it is also a critical national security asset.  

“Being a leader in nuclear energy provides us the opportunity to export our nuclear technologies and set global nuclear safety and security norms. If we do not do this, China and Russia, both with robust nuclear programs, surely will to the detriment of our national security.  

“I am pleased to have introduced the Atomic Energy Advancement Act with my colleague, Ranking Member DeGette.  

“This bill encapsulates the work of many members of this committee on both sides of the aisle and seeks to 'advance the benefits of nuclear energy by enabling efficient, timely, and predictable licensing, regulation, and deployment of nuclear energy technologies.’ 

“I am excited we are moving forward with this true, bipartisan effort to advance nuclear energy in the United States to help position us for success on the global stage.  

“With that, let me welcome our witnesses today. I look forward to the discussion on how we can advance American energy and our global leadership.”