Affordable, reliable energy is at the heart of nearly every aspect of American life and business and has major impacts on U.S. foreign and domestic policy. Our energy policy should be a true all-of-the-above strategy that promotes energy security.
I introduced H.R. 1487, the American Energy Renaissance Act on March 19, 2015. Senator Ted Cruz introduced a companion bill in the Senate. If enacted, H.R. 1487 would:
Stop the federal government from interfering with domestic energy production:
Prevent federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing and instead leave it up to the states.
Repeal the renewable fuel standard.
Streamline the permitting process for upgrading existing and building new refineries.
Approve and allow private sector to build the Keystone pipeline.
Exclude greenhouse gases from regulation by EPA and other federal agencies.
Stop certain EPA regulations that will adversely impact coal and electric power plants.
Require Congress and the President to approve EPA regulations with negative job impacts.
Support passage of the REINS Act, which would require executive branch agencies to seek congressional approval prior to promulgating major rules and regulations
Expand energy development to Allow for the creation of more private sector jobs:
Expand energy development on federal lands by allowing states to lease, permit, and regulate energy resources located on federal lands within their borders.
Expand energy development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, on Indian lands, and open up Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for development.
Expand the offshore area of the outer continental shelf available for development.
Streamline the permitting process for additional offshore exploration.
Expand liquid natural gas exports.
Direct all additional revenues generated from exploration and drilling on federal lands exclusively to the national debt reduction trust fund.
My bill will grow domestic energy production, eliminate or reduce federal regulatory burdens, and decrease our reliance on foreign oil. These steps will create jobs here at home and drive down energy costs to consumers. H.R. 1487 has been referred to the appropriate House committees.
During the 114th Congress, I will continue my efforts to stop unnecessary energy regulation and support current and future American energy production.
