January 19th, 2024

• Stay up to date on all things energy by visiting the TEA Newsroom.
• Natural Gas CARES: It is the world’s Cleanest, Affordable, Reliable Energy Source.
• The Supreme Court set for pivotal cases that could claw back federal power.
• How conservative groups are approaching the primary.
• Major wind project was dependent on the Biden admin waiving taxpayer safeguard.
• Natural gas is set to play a major role in the energy transition.
• $50 million effort to pump Wyoming’s hidden oil and gas.
• End of an era: Who comes after Kerry?

The issue: Right-leaning climate and energy groups are urging House GOP leaders to go further in their opposition to President Biden’s green energy policies.

Why it matters: Phrases like “rapid meltdown” and “countdown to disaster” are included in a letter sent to Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both Louisiana Republicans. One example cited is electric vehicles becoming a casebook study in the failure of government industrial policy.

Consider: Be sure to check out TEA’s Green Hypocrisy page in our Newsroom. We point out many fallacies, including climate czar John Kerry emitting 300 metric tons of carbon from his private jet, the dirty little secret of green energy’s support of child labor in African nations and the proposed natural gas appliance bans that various states have explored.

We aren’t the only ones highlighting the hypocrisies. This opinion piece reminds Americans that energy and appliance prices are on the ballot in 2024 and to keep in mind:

• Gasoline prices are 37 percent higher than when Biden took office.
• Electricity bills are 23 percent higher.
• Natural gas bills nearly quadrupled before leveling out to the same price as in January 2021.

Affordable energy is critical to all Americans, but to these groups in particular: 62% of American adults live paycheck to paycheck; 49% of Americans can’t afford a $1,000 dollar emergency expense; and one-third of American households with an income less than $50,000 a year.

There is little doubt that a Republican administration would roll back the Biden administration’s rules on appliances and cars and allow Americans greater choice over what they buy. New regulations were issued by the Department of Energy on Dec. 29, 2023, covering freezers, refrigerators, and refrigerator-freezers.

Bottom line: Pro-American energy policymakers must remind voters that energy is on the ballot this year. With this winning message, they can take back the White House and roll back Biden’s green agenda.

The issue: It’s a new year and the same old nonsense is coming from the White House. The Biden administration issues a new natural gas tax in the latest salvo in their war on fossil fuels and domestic energy production.

Why it matters: The Biden administration unveiled a new regulatory proposal last week that would introduce a new tax on the fossil fuel industry, punishing producers that exceed a certain level of methane emissions.

• Wind, solar and batteries will not save the day during storms. That has been proven.
• Texas is a perfect example, where natural gas is clearly the dominant fuel source. On a given day natural gas provides as much as 67%, compared with less than 7% for wind and solar combined.
• In Chicago, Tesla charging stations essentially froze up during last weekend’s winter storm when temperatures were below zero in the Midwest.

Consider: Taxing natural gas, America’s cleanest, most affordable and reliable energy source will not tame America’s runaway inflation. China’s solar, wind, and batteries won’t be keeping the lights and heat during this cold winter weather. If you are warm in your home or business today, thank a coal miner or a natural gas driller.

So what has the Biden administration done? It’s placed several key restrictions on drilling, to feed its addiction to heavily subsidized renewable energy.

• These have included an initial pause on new auctions for the rights to drill on publicly owned lands.
• A rule requiring oil and gas producers on public or private land to cut their methane emissions.
• A plan that offers companies fewer chances than before to acquire the rights to drill offshore.

Bottom line: Biden’s new natural gas tax will do nothing but suppress domestic production and punish consumers. But that seems to be his goal and has been since his first day in office.

The national average for a gallon of gasoline is virtually unmoved since this time last week. Right now, American drivers are paying an average of $3.08 per gallon, up one cent since last Friday. Widespread winter weather has disrupted some refineries and gasoline supply chains, causing prices to increase in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Moving forward, drivers can expect prices to remain relatively stable, at least until the winter temperatures begin to thaw.

Hearing On Climate And Ocean Industries: On Wednesday, January 24, the Senate Budget Committee will have a hearing to “examine how the climate crisis threatens ocean industries.”

FERC/NRC Joint Meeting: On Thursday, January 25, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold joint meeting.

“Liberal energy policies tied to fake and unjustified outrage over the environment lack any humanity or common sense. We must recapture American energy dominance, protect farmers, lower fuel prices for hard working Americans”

-Op-ed from Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R-OH) in the Buckeye Reporter.