Disclaimer: This article may contain the personal views and opinions of the author.
Vice President Harris looked Americans in the face recently and said the Biden administration has reduced heating and electric bills so Americans have more money in their pockets.
The only people who might think that is even remotely true are those who don’t pay their own heating or electric bills.
Americans have been dealing with increased costs for these utilities ever since the administration declared its war on oil.
In response to Harris’ claim, the RNC tweeted, “What is she talking about? Electricity is up 11.9%, fuel oil is up 27.7%, and natural gas is up 26.7% over last year.”
In an effort to help lower costs (for real), House Republicans have introduced, H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act.
The goal is “To lower energy costs by increasing American energy production, exports, infrastructure, and critical minerals processing, by promoting transparency, accountability, permitting, and production of American resources, and by improving water quality certification and energy projects, and for other purposes.”
The Biden administration has called the legislation a “license to pollute” and strongly opposes it.
It goes against their green energy agenda and Democrats claim it would “replace pro-consumer policies.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration is advancing an unparalleled expansion of American-made energy that will reduce costs, secure supply chains, and create good-paying jobs,” a White House memo states.
“The Administration has made dramatic progress in every area.”
“Both oil and natural gas production in the United States are projected to reach record highs this year, the President has authorized the use of the Defense Production Act to strengthen our supply chains, and the Administration is making historic investments to deploy clean energy, accelerate permitting, and create jobs,” it continued.
“It would raise costs for American families by repealing household energy rebates and rolling back historic investments to increase access to cost-lowering clean energy technologies,” the White House statement added. “Instead of protecting American consumers, it would pad oil and gas company profits – already at record levels – and undercut our public health and environment.”
“H.R. 1 would also empower big companies to skirt the Clean Air Act by lifting pollution control requirements, weaken emissions requirements and worker protection for refineries using toxic chemicals, modify requirements under the bipartisan Toxic Substances Control Act for determining the safety of chemicals used in the energy sector, and repeal $1.5 billion in investments focused on curbing methane leaks that harm surrounding communities.”
“The Administration wants to work in bipartisan manner with Congress to address lowering energy costs, permitting reform, and addressing energy challenges,” the memo concluded. “However, H.R. 1 would take us backward.”
Republicans put provisions in the legislation that would eliminate a lot of the restrictions the administration has levied on natural gas and oil in an effort to move toward what they call green energy.
It would eliminate new taxes on natural gas infrastructure. Take away the barriers to developing new pipelines. Ensure oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters. It would also support mining companies in their efforts to gain approval for projects.
Though the administration says the legislation will take us backward, which in this instance can be a good thing, it is backed by groups like Americans for Prosperity, America First Policy Institute, Heritage Action, and a number of other conservative advocacy groups.
President Biden plans to veto the legislation.
