Should Congress change the permit process for energy production and exports?
This bill seeks to increase American energy production and mineral and oil exports. The bill would change the permit process and aims to expedite the development of natural resources by waiving environmental review requirements, limiting the ability of the executive branch to restrict energy development on federal lands, and removing regulations on the imports and exports of oil and natural gases.
Sponsor: Rep Steve Scalise (Republican, Louisiana, District 1)
View full bill text ➔
How do you feel?
Oppose
Support
Opponents say
• "This Administration is making unprecedented progress in protecting America’s energy security and reducing energy costs for Americans – in their homes and at the pump. H.R. 1 would do just the opposite, replacing pro-consumer policies with a thinly veiled license to pollute. It would raise costs for American families by repealing household energy rebates and rolling back historic investments to increase access to cost-lowering clean energy technologies. Instead of protecting American consumers, it would pad oil and gas company profits – already at record levels – and undercut our public health and environment. The Administration strongly opposes this bill. H.R. 1 would double the cost of energy efficiency upgrades that families need to reduce household bills and would repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund that will cut energy costs and boost economic development in rural and urban communities across the country. H.R. " Source: OMB
• "Republicans' H.R. 1 sets the stage for more dangerous chemical disasters. It guts bedrock environmental laws and public health protections. And it doesn’t even mention clean energy - even once. House GOP puts #PollutersOverPeople." Source: Rep. Sheila Jackson (Democrat, Texas, District 18)
Proponents say
• "H.R. 1 will lower costs for Americans and grow our economy by fast-tracking the approval process for American energy production on federal lands and waters. The Lower Energy Costs Act will also expedite hardrock mining, streamline manufacturing, and make it easier to transport and export cleaner American natural gas by repealing the natural gas tax and speeding permitting for these critical projects. HR 1 also reforms the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – the most litigated environmental statute – that currently adds years of delays and millions of dollars in costs to the energy and infrastructure projects necessary to grow our economy. The Lower Energy Costs Act provides a streamlined, simplified permitting process for all federally impacted projects, speeding construction for everything from pipelines to transmission to water infrastructure. " Source: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Republican, California, District 20)
• "Why should you have to ship your energy in from foreign countries, paying a lot more, higher environmental costs, by the way, if you can get it from your neighbor in Pennsylvania? We streamline that process, as well. So, it's going to be great for American energy, it brings in more federal revenues, but it also lowers costs for [families]. That's why we're bringing forward the Lower Energy Costs Act, H.R. 1." Source: Rep Steve Scalise (Republican, Louisiana, District 1)
- Scalise: Lowering Energy Costs for American Families with H.R. 1 (Press Release)
- Estimated Budgetary Effects of Divisions A and B of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act (CBO)
- House Republicans Announce Major Energy Package as Top Priority Bill (The Hill)
- ACP Statement on Introduction of the Lower Energy Costs Act (ACP)
- Biden Threatens to Veto House GOP Energy Plan (NY1)
