Congressman Blake Moore Introduces the Protecting American Energy Act
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Blake Moore introduced the Protecting American Energy Act to lower gas prices and protect and promote American energy independence.
The bill would accomplish this by requiring the creation of an annual report outlining detailed information about American energy capacity, production, and consumption. This legislation will protect American energy from political interference by requiring certification that withdrawing land from being available for mineral leasing will not have a negative impact on domestic energy independence. In order to expand transparency, the bill would also require the Secretaries of the Department of the Interior, the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, and the Department of State to report how current events might impact America’s energy needs.
“If the Biden Administration is so sure unleashing domestic energy production would not solve our skyrocketing gas prices and national security concerns, Americans deserve to know why,” said Congressman Blake Moore. “The Protecting American Energy Act will ensure that domestic energy production can continue without political interference and hold the Administration accountable as we seek to understand their unwillingness to work with domestic energy producers on solutions to our crippling energy crises. We need answers now.”
“Western Energy Alliance strongly supports Congressman Moore’s bill because it provides clarity from Congress that America is serious about increasing domestic energy production,” said Kathleen Sgamma, President of the Western Energy Alliance. “The Interior Secretary is manipulating current law and claiming she can just stop leasing on federal lands while using the bureaucracy to stop new development. American energy production and security should not be a political football: it should be efficient and orderly on public lands, where it meets the highest environmental standards, so that Americans can benefit from the energy they own with lower prices and a secure supply.”
Within weeks of taking office, President Biden restricted domestic energy production by imposing unilateral energy moratoria on new leasing and permitting, cancelling the Keystone XL Pipeline, implementing burdensome regulations, releasing recommendations on raising costs under the Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Program, and more.
In January of 2021, the average cost for a gallon of gasoline in the United States was $2.42. In May, the average increased to over $4.56, demonstrating one of the steepest price climbs in American history. On May 18th, gas prices reached a record high for the ninth day in a row.
This bill has support from outside organizations, including the U.S. Oil and Gas Association, the Independent Association of Drilling Contractors, and the Energy Workforce and Technology Council.
You can read the full bill text here.
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