Cathy McMorris Rodgers - Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
Cathy McMorris Rodgers - Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
Yesterday, Congressman Brett Guthrie and Congressman Bob Latta sent a letter to Secretary Jennifer Granholm. They questioned the Department of Energy's role in the Biden-Harris Administration's decision to restrict new offshore oil and gas production. The lawmakers expressed concerns about the potential impact on energy prices and U.S. energy security.
The letter highlighted concerns over closing off large areas of U.S. offshore regions for energy production. "Closing off swaths of U.S. offshore areas to energy production, as the Biden-Harris Administration reportedly intends to do, will lead to higher energy prices for American families, the loss of American jobs, and greatly diminish our country’s energy security," stated Guthrie and Latta.
They emphasized the importance of reviewing these decisions thoroughly. "As the Secretary of Energy, you have an obligation to weigh in on this matter and insist on a full review of the energy security and economic impacts before any decisions are finalized."
The Congressmen pointed out that America is at a critical point regarding its energy future amid increasing global security threats and demand for power. They urged for a shift in policy direction: "Instead of leading the world in energy production, we’ve allowed misguided 'green' policies to hamstring our potential. It’s time to unleash American energy dominance again—the federal government must become an ally, not an obstacle, to our nation’senergy security."
The letter requested Secretary Granholm's response by January 10, 2025.
This correspondence follows an announcement from the Biden Administration declaring more than 625 million square miles of coastline off-limits for energy production. Republican members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce have been vocal against what they describe as attacks on American energy production by current administration policies.
The lawmakers are seeking clarification on whether there was consultation with or involvement from the Department of Energy in making these plans.
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