Affordable Energy Key to American Jobs

Statement

Summer is nearly here, and with it comes the heat. When the mercury rises and the air conditioning is on full blast, many Americans are never so thankful for access to affordable energy. Energy prices don't just affect your personal household budget. The cost of energy also impacts the budget of your favorite restaurant down the street or the business that cuts your paycheck each week.

The more heavy-handed regulations and energy taxes we see streaming out of the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the greater the threat to your access to affordable energy. That's why it's so important that Congress enact policies that encourage investment in environmentally sound, cost-effective practices that do not stifle our economy. Recently, I joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives in voicing opposition to costly proposals by President Obama to tax carbon and oil.

Since taking office, President Obama has pushed for a carbon tax, but the American people have soundly rejected this policy that would have far-reaching consequences for every person and business in the country. A carbon tax would hamper the ability of companies to operate competitively in the U.S., pushing jobs overseas. This hurts not only our economy, but also the global environment, as most countries do not have the environmental protections that we have in the United States.

Additionally, if President Obama had his way, there would be a new $10 tax levied on every barrel of oil, potentially raising the price of a gallon of gas by up to 25 cents. That's a tax hike you should not have to stomach. While folks across Virginia have been enjoying lower oil prices, President Obama's proposal suggests that he believes it's time for them to pay more. It's not just gasoline prices affected by this proposed tax. As almost every commodity relies on oil in some way, very little in our economy would remain unaffected, including the jobs of many hard working Americans.

I also recently supported legislation to help ensure states can practically, and cost effectively, implement the EPA's ozone and air quality standards. This legislation makes common sense reforms by extending the deadline for reviewing new standards and requiring the EPA to take into consideration whether new regulations are actually technologically feasible. It's one thing to create regulations in Washington. It's another to implement them practically in our communities.

Instead of government mandates and bureaucracy, I support policies that increase Americans' access to affordable, reliable energy and policies that make it easier for states and localities to comply with government regulations. Rather than more of President Obama's pen and phone, we need a tailored approach that considers the economic impacts of these policies on everyone involved. Access to affordable energy is critical to rebuilding our economy and creating more jobs.

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