Armstrong, Pflüger Invite Biden to the Bakken and the Permian to See How American Energy Independence Can be Achieved

Statement

Congressmen Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and August Pfluger (R-TX) sent a letter to President Joe Biden imploring him to support domestic energy production. Additionally, the members invited the President to visit the Bakken Formation in North Dakota and the Permian Basin in Texas to see firsthand the essential work that happens every day in domestic oilfields.

"Only a decade ago, energy producing states like North Dakota and Texas were at the heart of the American energy renaissance that unleashed domestic production of oil and natural gas." The members wrote. "Combined, our states produce over half of the nation's crude oil and the hardworking men and women of our states are ready and willing to increase domestic production again, but they need the appropriate regulatory environment and support of your administration."

The members continued "Rather than plead with Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to increased production, we invite you to visit the Bakken Formation and the Permian Basin to see firsthand the essential work that happens every day in domestic oilfields. America's oil and gas producers gave us energy independence before, it's time to get out of the way and let them do it again."

In response to rising gas prices and a ban on Russian oil imports, the Biden administration is reportedly considering asking Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to increase oil exports. This comes in the wake of policies that chilled domestic investment in the oil and gas industry, including a leasing moratorium on federal lands and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's changes to its pipeline certificate policy statement.

Read the full letter here and below.

Dear Mr.President:

Since the 1970s energy crisis, the American people have recognized the importance of developing our domestic energy resources to reduce our reliance on foreign imports and ensure our energy security.

However, since day one of your presidency, numerous regulatory policy changes have significantly chilled domestic investment in the oil and gas industry, the lifeblood of our economy and an essential to our national security. As these ill-advised policies have dramatically increased the price of gasoline and other petroleum-based products, your administration has turned toward foreign actors who do not share American values or interests. ·

We are extremely concerned that while domestic producers, particularly in the Bakken Formation and Permian Basin, can provide for our energy needs, your administration is engaging with Venezuela and Saudi Arabia to meet a decline in the available supply of oil that would come from a ban on Russian oil imports. The United States should not respond to shocks in the global energy market by increasing reliance on foreign countries, we should be championing production at home.

Only a decade ago, energy producing states like North Dakota and Texas were at the heart of the American energy renaissance that unleashed domestic production of oil and natural gas. Combined, our states produce over half of the nation's crude oil and the hardworking men and women of our states are ready and willing to increase domestic production again, but they need the appropriate regulatory environment and support of your administration. From a leasing moratorium on federal land to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's changes to its pipeline certificate policy statement, your administration continues to erect roadblocks for domestic producers at every turn.

Rather than plead with Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to increased production, we invite you to visit the Bakken Formation and the Permian Basin to see firsthand the essential work that happens every day in domestic oilfields. America's oil and gas producers gave us energy independence before, it's time to get out of the way and let them do it again.

Sincerely,

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