December 20th, 2024

• Stay up to date on all things energy by visiting the TEA Newsroom.
• America needs Affordable, Reliable, Clean energy security.
• Permitting all but out of a year-end spending package.
• EPA will grant California the right to ban sales of new gas-powered cars by 2035.
• Biden’s DOJ admits LNG export ban is probably over.
• Attacking Newsom’s climate agenda, activists launch an ad campaign.
• Midwest grid signs off on record transmission ‘backbone.’
• Opinion: Chris Wright is the right pick for the Department of Energy.
• Trump vows to speed up permits for energy, other megaprojects.

The issue: We know that Energy Security is paramount to economic growth. That includes mammoth data centers and increased Artificial Intelligence needs. Energy Security that is Affordable, Reliable, and Clean leads to prosperity for our families and our communities.

Why it matters: The ARC Energy Security legislation is proposed as a common sense energy agenda for the future.

American natural gas should be adopted as the clean standard and this legislation used as the template that ensures Americans’ long-term economic prosperity. “Green energy” will be redefined as meaning any energy generated by using an energy resource in which the emissions are equivalent to the standard set by pipeline quality natural gas (like those emitted by residential gas stoves that are in millions of homes).

The Empowerment Alliance is appealing to all 50 states to pass this legislation, while president-elect Donald Trump and Republicans, who hold a majority in Congress, are urged to do likewise at the federal level.

Consider: Data centers are popping up all over, including in Ohio where Amazon made a major commitment to spend $10 billion by 2030. There are several compelling reasons to consider natural gas for these large projects.

• Significant cost savings using natural gas.
• Natural gas-powered generators can be used in a variety of ways beyond just as backup power.
• Substantially cleaner fuel emissions and more versatility.

This comes amid a report that the blackout risk is rising for North American grids, thus all the more reason to rely on natural gas for power generation. You can depend on natural gas and nuclear power, whereas solar and wind fall well short.

Bottom line: AI and data centers are driving unexpected growth in electricity demand. America’s #1 energy source, natural gas, is more than ready to meet that challenge.

The issue: Washington state voters in November approved a natural gas measure. Now it’s being challenged with a pair of lawsuits.

Why it matters: Millions of voters went to the polls Nov. 5 and as a result Initiative 2066 passed, albeit by a slim margin. Circumventing the will of the people is never a good thing and in this case it’s ridiculous. This is why tort reform is needed as it could help curb some of these frivolous lawsuits. It would enable energy companies to demand all expenses and losses that stem from these schemes.

Opponents wrongly say the vote is unconstitutional with a flimsy argument revolving around semantics.

But Project Energy Choice is fighting back. The group contends that natural gas delivers vital energy, warmth and comfort to millions of homes and supports the jobs and security of 100,000-plus businesses, restaurants and institutions in Washington.

Consider:

• Trade groups argue, rightfully so, that by not modifying state energy codes it causes chaos for builders and building code officials across Washington state.
• Voters who supported I-2066 wanted to retain natural gas as an energy choice.
• The State Building Code Council is blatantly defying state law by refusing to repeal the natural gas restrictions, going against the will of the majority of state residents.
• Limiting choice always raises commodity prices and energy is no exception.

When politicians across the state tried to ban natural gas service and force everyone to fully electrify their homes and businesses, the people fought back and won.

This is another example of the green-at-any-cost bureaucrats attempting to undermine what consumers want. It’s been happening nationwide and it’s time for it to stop. Communities from east to west, including Berkeley, California, have attempted to pass natural gas bans. Wisely, some like this one have been repealed.

Bottom line: The free market should determine energy choices, not local, state or federal bureaucrats. Let’s support the residents of Washington state in their fight for energy freedom.

Bad news for drivers who were hoping to pay less than $3 as they travel home for Christmas. Gas prices are now moving in the wrong direction, with the national average at $3.05, a 3 cent increase over the past week. Drivers in the south will pay the least for gasoline this holiday season, as states from Texas to North Carolina are all seeing averages less than $2.85. As usual, west coast drivers will be hit the hardest, where prices are averaging over $3.50.

Nothing on the calendar next week.

*Scheduling note* TEA will be taking a Christmas break until the beginning of January. Our normal CSE schedule will resume on Friday, January 10th. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

“Achieving American energy dominance means: unleashing reliable domestic energy, strengthening our national security, and bringing costs down for consumers. I look forward to leading HEAT and developing solutions that restore U.S. energy leadership.”

— Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), in a tweet​​​​​​​ announcing his acceptance of the “House Energy Action Team” chairmanship.