Long Works to Harness Nation's Abundant Energy Resources, Create Jobs

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Billy Long today voted in favor of the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act, a package of bills to harness our nation's energy resources in an effort to create jobs.

"We have the resources in our country to be energy independent. By tapping into our nation's abundant energy resources we will also lay the groundwork for more American jobs. We need to strengthen our energy security by increasing domestic energy supplies and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. This reliance negatively impacts our economy and poses a serious threat to our national security. This package of energy bills passed by the House will lower the costs of energy for Americans and create the jobs they are demanding. It is time for the Senate to step up and act in the best interest of our country," Long said.

The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act builds on House efforts to reduce energy costs and create jobs by combining a number of bills already passed by the House that remain stuck in the Senate. The legislation includes:

Northern Route Approval Act ends the regulatory delays and allows for construction of the Keystone XL energy infrastructure project;

Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Actexpedites and modernizes the federal review process for natural gas pipeline permits to help facilitate the construction of new pipeline infrastructure;

North American Energy Infrastructure Actmodernizes and reforms the approval process for cross-border energy projects. It would expedite the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of transportation of energy between our northern and southern neighbors;

Energy Consumers Relief Actincreases transparency for major EPA regulations by requiring the agency to report to Congress detailed costs and benefits of any new energy-related regulation that costs more than $1 billion, and prohibits the EPA from finalizing a rule if it determined the rule will harm the economy;

Electricity Security and Affordability Actensures the U.S. keeps a diverse electricity-generating portfolio that allows a future for affordable energy from coal, as well as natural gas and renewables;

Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Actexpedites exports of U.S. liquefied natural gas to our allies and helps clear the backlog of export applications pending with the Department of Energy.

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