Duncan Opening Remarks at Subcommittee Markup to Unleash American Energy

Hearing

Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) delivered the following opening remarks at today's Energy, Climate, & Grid Security Subcommittee markup of nine pieces of legislation.
Excerpts and highlights below:
RESTORING AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE

"The United States became the global leader in energy production and energy-related greenhouse gas emission reductions. This success was a result of Federal policies that encouraged innovation and investment in the energy industry--policies that unleashed American energy.
"Unfortunately, "the rush-to-green' agenda and misguided government policies of the last couple of years have taken an aggressive, top-down regulatory approach that has decreased domestic energy production, reduced energy supplies, and increased the cost for consumers.

"Energy is the foundation of everything in American life. High energy prices hurt low-income and middle-class Americans the most.

"According to the EIA, one-third of American households struggle to pay their energy bills.

"We went from being energy dominant on the world stage to a self-inflicted energy crisis--we are facing energy scarcity, record high-gas prices, and a less reliable grid.
"Republicans have solutions to make us yet again energy dominant and I am grateful we have an opportunity today to take up our first set of bills seeking to achieve this goal.

"I also want to note these bills went entirely through regular order.
"We had a full committee hearing in January to inform us of the state of American energy, as well as a field hearing in Midland, Texas.
"The subcommittee also held a legislative hearing the first week of February to hear expert testimony on how to better the bills, and we're now holding a subcommittee markup."
BILLS TO IMPROVE AMERICAN ENERGY AFFORDABILITY

"All the bills today seek to unleash American energy, make energy more affordable for all Americans, and secure energy supply chains.

"My bill, H.R. 1121, the Protecting American Energy Production Act, prohibits the President from declaring a moratorium on fracking. It also reaffirms that States have primacy over production on State and private land.
"This is necessary because President Biden has repeatedly stated he would end fossil fuel production in the U.S.

"To address energy infrastructure permitting, we have Mr. Armstrong's bill, H.R. 1058, The Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act encourages the construction of energy infrastructure across the borders of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico -- helping us secure Western Hemispheric energy security.
"There is also Dr. Burgess's legislation aimed at streamlining the natural gas pipeline permitting process at FERC. Increasing pipeline capacity in the U.S. is key to our energy security.
"Several bills also address the importance of American energy exports in the global market.

"The world is safer when America is energy dominant and Representative Johnson's bill to "Unlock our Domestic LNG' would make it easier for FERC to approve export terminals to deliver clean energy to our allies.
"We also will be taking up a resolution from Representative Guthrie that expresses support for the free trade and export of crude oil and petroleum products. This is necessary because President Biden and Democrats on this Committee have advocated for reinstating the crude oil export ban.
"Lifting the export ban in 2015 has lowered prices while also increasing our leverage globally--it would be shortsighted to reverse this.
"Representative Bucshon's bill, H.R. 1068, Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act requires the Secretary of Energy to assess our critical energy resource supply chain to ensure we have a secure and available supply.
"Mr. Latta's bill, H.R. 1085, the REFINER Act Requires the National Petroleum Council to submit a report on our refining capacity. It is essential we address not only expanded production but also refining capacity to meet growing demand.
"We all know President Biden revoked the permit for the Keystone XL permit on his first day in office, this began his war on American Energy. Ms. Lesko has a resolution expressing disapproval of President Biden's revocation of the permit.
"In addition to these bills, I am hopeful we can continue to work across the aisle to secure our nuclear supply chain and strengthen our grid, including the bipartisan cybersecurity bill from Representatives Walberg and Schrier."
REPUBLICAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS ARE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

"Our goal is to enact policy that delivers affordable, reliable, and clean energy to all Americans. A goal I believe we all share on this committee.

"These bills are a step in increasing supply and infrastructure, and reducing prices so Americans aren't forced to decide between putting food on the table or keeping on the lights.

"They also will get us back to being a global energy leader, so we no longer have to beg our adversaries for energy.

"It's time to increase American energy production and restore energy leadership. I urge all my colleagues to support the bills in front of us today so we can achieve this goal."

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