WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) is calling on the Biden Administration to withdraw a proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation on methane, which Crenshaw and 30 House Republicans say will "increase energy prices and eliminate American jobs."
In a letter to President Biden, Crenshaw, along with 30 Republican lawmakers, slam President Biden for his repeated attacks on the American energy industry and American oil and gas jobs.
"Unfortunately, undermining American energy independence and good-paying Americans jobs has become a hallmark of your Administration. American consumers are bearing the brunt of your actions," the lawmakers write.
Biden's actions come as Americans are facing increasing energy costs. According to the Department of Energy, the national average price of gasoline has almost doubled since last year, while U.S. households are projected to spend 54 percent more for propane, 43 percent more for heating oil, 30 percent more for natural gas, and 6 percent more for electric heating this winter.
On November 2, 2021, EPA proposed three separate actions to regulate methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas well sites, compressor stations, processing plants, and transmission and storage facilities.
In their letter to Biden, the lawmakers say this proposal "will dramatically expand EPA’s regulatory reach, undercutting rules issued under the prior Administration that removed regulatory duplication and would have saved millions of dollars each year."
"Throughout the past year, your Administration, through Executive Orders and new regulations, has actively discouraged American energy production. On your first day in office, you revoked the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline and imposed a moratorium on fossil energy development on Federal lands and waters. These actions, combined with EPA’s proposal, increase regulatory uncertainty, and discourage investments in American energy infrastructure and supplies. What’s most concerning is that, even in the face of blaring warning signs that an energy crisis of your doing is hurting American consumers, your Administration refuses to reverse course," the lawmakers write.
The lawmakers who signed the letter include:
Steve Scalise
Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Jodey Arrington
Brett Guthrie
Billy Long
Bob Latta
Van Taylor
Ronny L. Jackson
Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
David McKinley
Brian Babin
Bruce Westerman
Neal P. Dunn, M.D.
August Pfluger
Kelly Armstrong
Larry Bucshon
Earl L. “Buddy” Carter
Kevin Brady
Jeff Duncan
Carol Miller
Greg Pence
Glenn Thompson
Richard Hudson
Pete Stauber
Debbie Lesko
Chip Roy
Michael Cloud
Tim Walberg
Louie Gohmert
Roger Williams