Energy & Gas Prices

Unleashing American energy resources will provide relief to the pocketbooks of Michigan families while encouraging domestic job creation and securing long-term energy security and reliability. Unfortunately, federal regulations can often inhibit the use of domestic energy and the construction of new infrastructure that is necessary for Michiganders to enjoy affordable energy.

Congress needs to get serious about developing an "all-of-the-above" America first energy strategy that will put our country back on the path to energy independence, leading to cheaper utility bills and job creation. In order to achieve energy independence, I believe a few commonsense steps can be taken:

Increase Domestic Energy Production & Innovation

With major advances in energy technology and innovation as well as the discovery of vast domestic shale and natural gas reserves, the U.S. became energy independent just a few years ago for the first time since 1957. Unfortunately, many of the policies of President Biden's Administration such as canceling the Keystone XL pipeline, suspending new oil and gas leases on federal land and water, and green lighting the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline threaten America's energy security, reliability, and affordability

Instead, we need to continue utilizing our nation's abundance of energy resources, while at the same time, unleash innovation in clean energy technologies, which will keep prices affordable for Michigan families, enhance our national security, and boost domestic manufacturing.

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I am working to promote the robust development of American energy, which will spur new jobs and economic growth while firmly putting us back on a path to North American energy independence.

In order to unleash America's full energy potential, we must promote an "all of the above" energy strategy, including solutions to unleash innovation in hydropower, nuclear, clean coal, and natural gas which will reduce emissions, prioritize energy security, and keep costs low. In order to do so, my colleagues and I on the Energy and Commerce Committee have introduced dozens of real, workable solutions to promote a clean, domestic energy supply by removing barriers, streamlining permitting, and investing in nuclear, natural gas and LNG, hydropower, and construction and manufacturing technologies.

In October 2022, I led my Michigan Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm regarding the Biden administration’s lack of action to boost domestic energy production. It requests answers on how the Department of Energy plans to lower costs for Americans and ensure that the United States becomes energy independent once more.

In February 2022, my Energy and Commerce colleagues and I introduced H.R. 6858, American Energy Independence from Russia Act.The legislation would immediately approve the Keystone XL pipeline, unleash U.S. LNG exports to boost natural gas production, restart oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters, and protect energy and mineral development.

Protect our Energy Infrastructure

To make sure these energy resources make it into Michigan homes, we must build and maintain the necessary infrastructure to transport domestic energy.

American businesses and industry have invested billions in our nation's electric infrastructure. The federal government can maximize this investment by reducing and removing unnecessary burdensome red tape. Reducing onerous regulations is a budget friendly way to spur and maximize investment in critical infrastructure such as our electric grid.

As we are updating and modernizing our grid, we need to make sure that it is also as secure and resilient as possible. Our nation's electric infrastructure faces myriad threats every day both physical and cyber. Whether it's power outages in Texas and California due to weather events, or foreign adversaries hacking into our pipelines or grid – it is critical that we better equip our federal agencies to prevent and respond to attacks in a way that fully protects the public.

On July 19, 2021, the House passed my bill, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act (H.R. 3119). Introduced with my colleague, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), our bipartisan bill recognizes the important mission of bolstering our nation's cybersecurity at the Department of Energy to more effectively respond to growing threats to energy security. Our bill elevates the Department of Energy's (DOE) energy security and emergency functions to a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary level in agency leadership that is reflective of its importance across the agency, the government, and to the nation.

I was also pleased President Trump signed into law my bill, H.R. 1109, which I introduced with my colleague, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI). Our bipartisan bill will reduce unnecessary paperwork burdens and bring down energy prices for American families. The legislation unties the hands of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) hands and allows the commission to do what it does best, regulate electricity markets to ensure American rate payers are getting the most affordable and reliable electricity possible.

These bipartisan bills will strengthen coordination across DOE and FERC, ensuring effective interagency collaboration, and increasing accountability to Congress. It is critical that we do everything we can to protect our nation's electric infrastructure and I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to do just that.

Ensuring Pipeline Safety & Security

Pipelines remain the safest and most environmentally sound way to transport energy. As we saw with the 2021 Colonial Pipeline cyber-attack, pipelines are crucial for the reliable, efficient, and affordable delivery of fuels across our nation. President Biden's cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline undermined American energy security and resulted in the loss of thousands of good-paying jobs. As a member of the Energy Subcommittee, I am fighting to keep critical pipelines such as Enbridge's Line 5 operational so that Michigan businesses and families can continue to enjoy a reliable and affordable supply of energy resources.

In December 2021, I introduced H.R. 6173, PIPES Act, which would prohibit the President from revoking the permit for any cross-border pipelines like Line 5.

Oil and natural gas pipelines serve as essential parts of our state and nation's infrastructure and economies, accounting for tens of thousands of family-supporting jobs and billions in economic output. We must do everything we can to ensure the safe supply and affordability of resources necessary to meet American families' and businesses most basic needs.

Develop and Promote Alternative Fuels

We need to promote a healthier environment risks and spur the development and deployment of clean energy infrastructure without the ‘pie-in-the-sky' mandates, regulations, and massive federal government spending.

In order to do so, in May 2021, I helped introduce the bipartisan Coordinated Action to Capture Harmful (CATCH) Emissions Act (H.R. 3538), which will boost carbon capture tax credits for industrial facilities and power plants, resulting in less greenhouse gases and spurring additional innovation in clean energy technologies. Studies have shown that we cannot reduce global emissions in a meaningful way without Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). Along with my colleagues, our bipartisan efforts to expand carbon capture tax credits will incentivize private investment in these critical technologies so the U.S. can be a leader in exporting them to high-polluting countries.

I also serve as a Member of the House Conservative Climate Caucus, where we help educate Members and the public on climate policies consistent with conservative values. As a Member of the Caucus, we promote private sector innovation, American resources, and R&D investment as the best solutions to meet our climate goals, ensure affordable energy, and place the United States as the global leader in clean energy technologies.

Support Safe Nuclear Energy

Only about 20-percent of our nation's electricity is produced by nuclear power; meanwhile nations like France receive 75 percent of all its power from nuclear. In Michigan, 30 percent of our state's total nuclear generation capacity comes from the Fermi 2 plant located in Michigan's 7th District. Meanwhile, there are now 93 operating nuclear reactors, down from 104 a decade ago, with several more slated to close in the coming years.

To reduce emissions, strengthen our global competitiveness and security, there is urgent need to deploy innovative new technologies. We need to grow our ability to produce emissions-free nuclear energy technologies such as advanced reactors so that we can meet Michigan's future energy needs and help America win the future.