Kelly votes to expand American energy production, lower costs for families
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted in favor of H.R. 1, The Lower Energy Costs Act, which would hold the Biden Administration responsible for its war on American energy independence and reverse course on these radical policies to help drive down costs for Americans.
"The American people have felt the pain of the Biden administration's anti-American energy policies for far too long. Now, House Republicans are providing some relief to American families," Kelly said. "The goal is this bill is simple: we will allow American energy companies to once again compete on a level playing field with their global competitors. This is especially important for natural gas companies in Pennsylvania, a state that produces 20% of all the natural gas in the United States each year. I believe that while we must take an all-of-the-above approach to energy in this country, we also cannot forget what's below."
During his first two years in office, President Biden and his administration have restricted the use of fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, that power American homes and vehicles. Since January 2021, electricity prices have increased 24%; utility gas is up 44%; and gasoline is up 51% nationally.
In an attempt to lower gas prices last summer, President Biden also unilaterally approved withdrawing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). That decision decreased our nation's emergency oil reserves to their lowest levels since 1984. Yet, gas prices remain higher than the day President Biden took office.
BACKGROUND
The provisions of The Lower Energy Costs Act does the following:
- Increases domestic energy production
- Reforms the permitting process for all industries
- Reverses anti-energy policies advanced by the Biden Administration
- Streamlines energy infrastructure and exports
- Boosts the production and processing of critical minerals
- Prohibits President Biden from banning hydraulic fracturing
- Repeals all restrictions on the import and export of natural gas, including LNG
- Prevents liberal states from blocking interstate infrastructure projects
- Repeals President Biden’s $6 billion natural gas tax that would increase energy bills for families