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What Energy Can Be, UnBidened By What Has Been

February 14, 2025

February 14th, 2025

The issue: A pair of legislative measures aimed to protect the domestic energy industry are in the works. It’s long overdue, given the previous regime (also known as the Biden administration) that seemed intent on destroying it the past four years.

Why it matters: First, House lawmakers last week voted 226-188 to pass the Protecting American Energy Production Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), would prohibit the sitting president from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing to help secure the production of oil and gas on state and private land.

Consider:

  • Rep. Pfluger is correct, saying the House passing his bill is “a necessary first step” in reversing the former Biden administration’s efforts to curb fossil fuel production.
  • Fracking is a safe, clean, and effective way to produce affordable energy and strengthen our national security.
  • We strongly encourage the Senate to also pass the measure. However, seven Democratic lawmakers must join their Republican colleagues to make this a reality.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans introduced a resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s proposed fee on methane emissions. This would represent a monumental victory for energy producers, should it become law.
President Trump issued a range of executive orders focused on setting an “energy dominance” agenda in his first days in office. That includes directing bloated and poorly managed agencies to speed up permitting of energy projects and unwinding those environmental protections that are burdensome.

  • The resolution introduced by Republican Senators John Kennedy of Louisiana and John Hoeven of North Dakota, under the Congressional Review Act, would overturn the escalating charge set by the agency.
  • The methane fee was mandated by the insidious 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, and amounts to a tax on energy producers.
  • That tax will be passed along to consumers, resulting in higher energy prices for homeowners and businesses.

Bottom line: Congress is beginning the work of undoing the damage Biden caused to our energy policy over the past 4 years. That starts by making sure, in the future, no President can declare war on American energy like he did.

The issue: Tucked inside the Inflation Reduction Act was $3 billion for environmental and climate justice block grants and programs. The Trump administration is actively working to end the egregious green group giveaways.

Why it matters: Trump has begun dismantling the green-at-all-cost programs, including this costly one. The House’s Energy and Commerce Committee first sounded the alarm last fall.

The findings, under Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, shed light on the issue Nov 4. It reads, in part: “The lists of organizations selected to receive funding or partner with those organizations include environmental activist organizations that work to influence public and elected officials to adopt their often-extreme views, such as completely eliminating the use of fossil fuels.”

That’s hardly the sentiment of America’s voters based on how they voted a day later.

Consider:

  • The language used is tricky, if not downright deceptive. Broad terms like “public education” and “public outreach” sound legitimate, but don’t pass muster.
  • Also, as the IRA and the EPA’s funding announcements state that these awards will go to “community-based nonprofit organizations.”
  • Again, that sounds fine, but Americans may expect selectees to be small, local organizations with limited resources. Most are not.

Trump already has done a great deal to expand hydrocarbon capacity while shutting down these costly green schemes. That is welcome news for natural gas producers and customers alike.

Bottom line: The IRA dished out billions in green grants that had nothing to do with protecting the environment. Now it’s time for that money to be returned.

Hearing On Federal Permitting Process: On Wednesday, February 19, the Senate Environment and Public Works will have a hearing to examine improving the Federal environmental review and permitting processes.

FERC Open Meeting: On Thursday, February 20, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold an Open Meeting of the Commission.

“True environmental justice isn’t just about lowering emissions—it’s also about ensuring energy remains accessible & affordable, particularly for communities in need. Natural gas is an affordable & reliable energy solution that can reduce energy prices & drive down emissions.”

-Former Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu on X.