WASHINGTON, D.C. – Industry leaders and associations representing rural America released statements in response to the House passage of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. The legislation reverses the energy crisis caused by the Biden Administration’s failed, America Last energy policies and was formally endorsed by the Congressional Western Caucus. The Lower Energy Costs Act passed with a bipartisan vote of 225-204.
American Chemistry Council (ACC): “The Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) advances key national priorities. This legislation will strengthen America’s energy and economic security while helping to spur innovation and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We applaud its strategies to boost production of diverse energy sources; build and update infrastructure; modernize the permitting process; secure supplies of critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials; and end future delays in chemical substance review for critical energy resources.”
American Exploration & Mining Association Executive Director Mark Compton: “AEMA applauds House passage of the Lower Energy Cost Act. The common-sense and comprehensive reforms included in H.R. 1 are a critical step in securing our mineral supply chains, improving the competitiveness of U.S. industries across our economy, and meeting our nation’s challenges in an environmentally responsible and just manner. We urge the Senate to take the same action and vote to implement reform that benefits projects of all kinds – not just some – with efficient, effective and timely environmental review processes, whether we are permitting a mine, addressing our crumbling infrastructure, or tackling climate change by siting and developing renewable energy generation and transmission.”
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Over the past several years, farmers and ranchers have been facing unprecedented volatility including record-high input costs. Affordable and abundant energy is critical for farmers and ranchers as it is a major factor for input costs. The Lower Energy Costs Act attempts to rectify these challenges by increasing the production of American energy and reducing regulatory burdens through comprehensive permitting reform...Farm Bureau is committed to working with Congress to address the current energy challenges, and supports H.R. 1.”
American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock: “AF&PA is pleased the U.S. House of Representatives passed the ‘Lower Energy Costs Act’ (H.R. 1) aimed at addressing the important issue of permitting reform, energy access and energy reliability. Energy access and reliability is critical to maintaining competitiveness for paper and wood products manufacturers. AF&PA supports policy efforts that avoid the unintended outcome of excessive delays in the natural gas pipeline approval and environmental review process. We encourage continued bipartisan work on this issue to provide more transparency and streamlined processes for important reviews. We look forward to working with the U.S. House, U.S. Senate and the Administration as the process moves forward.”
American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers: “H.R. 1 is an investment in U.S. energy security. Fuel and petrochemical manufacturers, and the energy infrastructure companies that make it possible to get our feedstocks and products from point A to point B, welcome the additional clarity and regulatory certainty this legislation will provide. We are especially appreciative of Representative Dan Crenshaw’s legislation in H.R. 1 to protect U.S. fuel refineries and their ability to produce gasoline here. Through the inclusion of this provision Congress will correct a glaring problem in the proposed updates to EPA’s Risk Management Plan that would impose massive costs on the refining industry and potentially threaten a significant share of U.S. fuel production capacity without any measurable safety benefits.”
American Gas Association President and CEO Karen Harbert: “AGA strongly supports policies that help ensure customers can continue to access safe, reliable and affordable energy. Provisions in the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1.) that will streamline the permitting process for energy projects and expedite judicial review to prevent critical energy projects from being delayed indefinitely by frivolous lawsuits, are critical components to helping our nation meet its energy and environment goals. We applaud the bipartisan support on these reasonable and effective amendments that will take important steps to safeguard affordable and reliable energy for consumers and communities.”
American Pipeline Contractors Association: “APCA was proud to endorse the Lower Energy Costs Act and was encouraged to see it pass the House with a bipartisan majority. Under our current outdated and burdensome regulatory structure, many critical energy projects take years to clear the permitting process – if they do at all. Many projects that would have clearly benefited Americans, the American economy, and the American environment have been blocked by outdated and oft-weaponized interpretations of NEPA and the Clean Water Act. If we are to reach the ambitious energy and climate goals set by the Administration and Congress, pipeline infrastructure must play a strong role – a role it cannot play if permitting issues stand in the way. APCA is pleased to see language that repeals the misguided methane tax, which increases energy costs without providing a clear environmental benefit. By revising, streamlining, and modernizing these outdated standards, this legislation will help our members build the energy infrastructure that fuels America. APCA urges the Senate to take action and build on this consequential legislation to advance and improve American energy and construction policy.”
American Public Gas Association (APGA): “APGA applauds leadership in the House of Representatives, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, for recognizing the critical need to ensure affordable and reliable energy. APGA supports H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, and its goal to reduce the regulatory burdens that impede the expansion of energy infrastructure. The inclusion of important policy changes to the pipeline permitting process will help to transport the robust domestic energy supply to areas of demand in our country, benefiting all Americans. Public gas utilities are proud to be part of the energy value chain that is committed to safely providing their customers with affordable and reliable energy. Lawmakers must support — not hinder — efforts to bolster, expand and maintain our nation’s resilient pipeline infrastructure and its ability to deliver clean, efficient energy to over 180 million Americans in homes and businesses across the country at low prices. To help energy consumers, APGA encourages Congress to support legislation that will keep energy affordability, reliability and security front and center for years to come.”
American Petroleum Institute (API) President and CEO Mike Sommers: “We applaud the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 1, commonsense legislation that puts our nation’s energy security front and center. It is clear now that both Republicans and Democrats share the common goal of providing reliable energy to Americans and making energy safer, cleaner, and more affordable. This is a positive step towards enacting serious, bipartisan permitting reform and we look forward to continuing to collaborate on real solutions that will modernize our infrastructure and benefit all Americans.”
Associated Builders and Contractors Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs Kristen Swearingen: “ABC thanks lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who acted today to lower energy costs and cut red tape for American families, small businesses and the contracting community. The construction industry is facing significant economic challenges, with many businesses having trouble finding affordable and available building materials, due in part to persistently elevated costs. ABC analysis finds that overall construction input prices are nearly 40% higher than in February 2020, with energy commodities leading all categories: crude petroleum (+63.5%), natural gas (+68.9%) and unprocessed energy materials (+76.3%). In addition to lowering energy costs, H.R. 1 contains several commonsense permitting reforms, including the ABC-supported BUILDER Act, which will go a long way toward eliminating unnecessary delays that cause construction budget overruns. In order to deliver work safely, ethically and economically, ABC contractor members count on a coordinated, predictable and transparent permitting process; H.R. 1 enables the industry to plan and execute key projects nationwide while safeguarding our communities, maintaining a healthy environment and stewarding public funds properly.”
Associated General Contractors of America Vice President, Government Relations Jimmy Christianson: “AGC supports H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which includes meaningful reforms to expedite federal environmental review and permitting decisions, deter unwarranted lawsuits, and ensure federal agencies are more transparent and accountable without harming the environment. Some projects can take 7-14 plus years to go through the environmental approval process---this is too long to wait for the jobs and infrastructure improvements that communities need.”
Center for LNG (CLNG) Executive Director Charlie Riedl: “We support meaningful infrastructure permitting reform and urge Congress to work together to support solutions like H.R. 1. As the world continues to look to U.S. LNG as a way to enhance energy security and reduce emissions, modernizing the energy-infrastructure approval process so that natural gas can reach consumers in an affordable, timely, reliable and environmentally-responsible way is essential to meeting global climate ambitions. We applaud this effort to improve permitting so that we can achieve global climate goals.”
Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) President Heather Reams: “H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, takes the critical first step toward delivering on Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans’ Commitment to America. When American energy resources are stifled by unnecessary red tape, we export our jobs instead of our energy, resulting in increased global emissions. Though this is not the last step to fixing a broken system, it is the first and an invaluable step. CRES applauds Speaker McCarthy and Leader Scalise along with Chairs Rodgers, Westerman, and Graves for their leadership to pass the Lower Energy Costs Act, which would enact commonsense policies that play a real role in reducing global emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. I urge the U.S. Senate to take up this legislation and remove the burdensome obstacles that are delaying America’s clean energy future.”
Distribution Contractors Association, Rob Darden, Executive Vice President: “Reforming the outdated and permitting process for infrastructure projects remains a top priority of DCA and is now a bipartisan issue on Capitol Hill. Several states continue to use authority provided under the Clean Water Act to ensure for water quality as a way to delay or otherwise block important energy projects from getting off the ground. Western states need certainty in energy policy and efforts to build critical energy infrastructure should not be obstructed for political purposes.”
Energy Workforce & Technology Council President Tim Tarpley: “Energy Workforce & Technology Council applauds the passage of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, in the House of Representatives. The Federal Government should be enacting policies that support US energy security, not standing in the way, H.R. 1 goes a long way in moving us towards that goal. We believe this legislation will allow for a resurgence in American oil and natural gas production by providing much needed regulatory reform, removing barriers to vital infrastructure development, and restoring certainty to federal on- and offshore leasing. Unlocking our domestic energy strengthens our national security, lowers energy costs across the country, and helps reduce global emissions by increasing U.S. oil and gas that is produced cleaner and safer and under stricter environmental regulations than almost all other major suppliers. We encourage the Senate to take up H.R. 1 for a vote as soon as possible.”
Essential Minerals Association President Chris Greissing: “We applaud the U.S. House, led by the strong advocacy from its Western Caucus members, on the swift passage of H.R. 1. We strongly encourage the U.S. Senate to quickly take up this legislation that is vital for the national security of the U.S. The permit reform that is included in this bill has been strongly needed for quite some time as it would make the production of many of those minerals economically viable. With the current permitting time of 10+ years and almost certain litigation to follow, it simply does not make sense to invest in certain projects in the U.S. instead of virtually any other nation. This bill is more than lowering energy costs. It is ensuring the national security interest of the United States.”
GPA Midstream and GPSA Senior vice President of Government Affairs Matthew Hite: “GPA Midstream Association and GPSA strongly support H.R.1 and are grateful for House leadership focusing on this important issue.”
International Association of Drilling Contractors President Jason McFarland: “IADC applauds Speaker McCarthy, Majority Leader Scalise, and everyone involved with the production and prioritization of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. We strongly support this comprehensive legislation and believe it will restore much-needed certainty to U.S. federal leasing programs, both onshore and offshore. Increasing the production and export of U.S. energy will lead to greater national energy security and lower costs for American consumers. Drilling contractors stand at the ready to assist with increased production in the most efficient and responsible ways possible. We thank Congress for placing such an emphasis on energy production through this sensible and encouraging legislation.”
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) President & CEO Amy Andryszak: “The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) appreciates that the U.S. House of Representatives prioritized energy and permitting reform issues in the first major piece of legislation in the 118th Congress. H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, would expedite permitting timelines and judicial reviews for energy infrastructure – statutory changes needed to build projects from pipelines to powerlines that would make it possible to meet this country’s energy, economic, security, and climate-related goals. INGAA supports the provisions in the Lower Energy Costs act that enable efficient and consistent development of energy infrastructure in order to continue delivering the benefits of natural gas to the American people. The passing of H.R. 1 advances the conversation about bipartisan federal permitting reform legislation, and we look forward to collaborating with Senators on both sides of the aisle to achieve that goal.”
Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) President & CEO Jeff Eshelman: “IPAA is pleased to support H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. This bill will allow more investment to be put back in the ground for new American, responsible development across the energy supply chain. This legislation – and its designation as the House’s first bill – is a clear indication of the direction and priority that is set by the new House leadership – congratulations to them for getting this much needed bill through their chamber. The provisions of this bill, including repealing the methane tax and streamlining NEPA to process permits in a timelier manner, provide guidance and assurance that American natural gas and oil are a top priority. This legislation will help lower costs for American consumers at home and add to greater American energy security in the global marketplace. IPAA now urges the full Senate to support this legislation. Permitting reform is needed for all energy sources and our country needs to have realistic conversations on how to accomplish it; sidelining legislation before it has the opportunity to be properly discussed isn’t how we achieve that.”
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chairman and a custom home builder and developer from Birmingham, Alabama Alicia Huey: “House passage of the Lower Energy Costs Act will help housing affordability by repealing a section of the Inflation Reduction Act that provides $1 billion to pressure state and local governments to adopt costly and restrictive energy codes. While NAHB supports the adoption of cost-effective, modern energy codes, forcing the adoption of costly energy codes to qualify for these grants would raise housing costs and limit energy choices for consumers.”
National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons: “Strengthening domestic energy and resource production, securing energy transmission and permitting reform are top priorities for manufacturers in America. The Lower Energy Costs Act will bolster U.S. manufacturers’ competitiveness.”
National Federation of Independent Business Vice President of Federal Government Relations Kevin Kuhlman: “Small businesses continue to face various economic headwinds, including increased energy costs. This legislation will help small businesses nationwide by increasing energy production and streamlining the permitting process for energy-related projects. We applaud the U.S. House for passing this legislation and providing small businesses with much-needed relief.”
National Mining Association President and CEO Rich Nolan: “The House has delivered to the Senate legislation that will boost domestic mineral production for the benefit of all industries and remove regulatory barriers that are obstructing new energy development. This is a serious proposal that draws on commonsense practices already used in countries like Canada to streamline permitting. The result of the provisions it contains will be a stronger, more competitive economy, with more secure supply chains feeding our manufacturing and energy sectors. The Senate should act quickly on this legislation to ensure we are not forced to negotiate away our position as an economic powerhouse through foreign sourcing agreements for minerals and energy we could be getting here at home.”
National Stone Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA): "NSSGA represents the aggregates and industrial sand industries of the nation, operating more than 9,000 locations and offering high-paying jobs to over 100,000 individuals. These industries extract approximately 2.5 billion tons of gravel, sand, and stone annually, which are crucial in the renovation and maintenance of the country's aging infrastructure. Providing these materials also helps with accomplishing our nation's objective of reducing energy costs for households. H.R. 1 strives to rectify the existing broken permit reform process that makes it extremely challenging to obtain aggregates. Currently, the regulatory atmosphere necessitates a significant amount of time and resources to execute public works projects and infrastructure planning. If H.R. 1 is passed, the current National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process will be reformed to streamline federal reviews for all sectors of the economy. This legislation will enable aggregates producers to rapidly produce the materials required to build sustainable infrastructure, create resilient communities and enhance America's capacity to develop critical energy. NSSGA and our members are proud supporters of H.R. 1."
National Utility Contractors Association “NUCA congratulates Congress on passing H.R. 1 with a bipartisan majority. The crucial permitting reforms that H.R. 1 proposes will accelerate construction of vital utility infrastructure, and the lower fuel prices these reforms will help bring about will and help our members rebuild America at a price that’s right for the taxpayer and the economy. Now, we call on the Senate and the Biden Administration to wholeheartedly support what this bill will achieve in rebuilding American infrastructure, invigorating our nation's economy, and strengthening our national security. NUCA urges action on a bipartisan permitting reform and energy package as soon as possible.”
Power and Communication Contractors Association: “PCCA applauds the bipartisan House passage of H.R. 1. America's current permitting and regulatory structure is holding us back. Without significant reforms to the permitting process, including the National Environmental Policy Act, vital projects to strengthen the nation’s electric grid will lag far behind what is needed, including those necessary to support all aspects of an “all of the above” energy policy.” Anticipated future buildouts of renewables projects will require significant expansion and modernization of the electric grid, and current NEPA regulations make that a burdensome and impractical prospect. PCCA supports the many provisions in H.R. 1 which will streamline and speed the process of environmental review in a more efficient and sustainable way while also ensuring that critical projects – including those related to grid expansion and nationwide broadband buildout – are not blocked or significantly delayed without sound justification. PCCA calls on the Senate to swiftly take action and advance a meaningful bipartisan permitting reform package.”
U.S. Chamber Global Energy Institute President Marty Durbin: "We congratulate House leaders on the passage of H.R. 1, the 'Lower Energy Costs Act,' which advances important policies to reform America’s broken permitting process, enhance energy security, protect energy exports and critical infrastructure, and increases production and processing of critical minerals. Now, we call on the Senate to continue this momentum by passing permitting reform by the end of the summer. We recognize that the ultimate solution will be bipartisan, and we stand ready to work with any and all Senators who are interested in making real progress.”
Water and Sewer Distributors of America: “WASDA applauds the bipartisan passage of H.R. 1. The many important provisions within HR 1 that streamline and improve the federal permitting process are essential for America to unlock the full potential of investment in water/wastewater infrastructure, and the provisions supporting the supply chain will help our members supply the construction industry. WASDA hopes that the Senate will now build on what the House has accomplished and pass a meaningful permitting reform package without delay.”
Western Energy Alliance President Kathleen Sgamma: “Lawmakers are stepping up to address high gasoline and home energy prices after two years of the Biden administration’s unnecessary interference in energy markets. The growth of red tape over the past few years was not intended to protect the environment but to handcuff American oil and natural gas production in a misguided attempt to quickly transition to an alternative reality that does not exist. The result has been higher prices for all Americans. This bill is a welcome answer to government-imposed distortions to energy markets that have decimated the energy independence that America enjoyed just a few short years ago.”
