Republicans are Unlocking Affordable, Available, and Reliable American Energy

“We have the resources. We have the workers. We have the technology. What we lack is a permitting system that allows us to use them effectively. That is why Congress must pass meaningful permitting reform this year.” WASHINGTON, D.C . –Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today shared how Republicans are making America energy dominant. He highlighted recent actions by the Trump administration to eliminate burdensome regulations as well as actions by Congress to end the Biden-era electric vehicle mandate and to unleash American energy production. Senator Barrasso once again called on Congress to pass meaningful permitting reform this year. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “The cornerstone of a safer, stronger, and more prosperous America is affordable, available, reliable energy. America is blessed with vast amounts of resources. Under President Trump and Republicans, we are finally using them. “In two short years, we’ve gone from energy reduction to energy production, from burdensome regulations to bigger paychecks. “This week, the Trump administration continued taking the handcuffs off of American power production. President Trump ended Joe Biden’s so-called Clean Power Plan 2.0. That punishing regulation penalized clean, affordable, and reliable coal. It was an attempt to eliminate coal power generation. “This vicious attack on affordable energy would have increased energy costs dramatically. The people of Wyoming don’t want that. Neither do the rest of the country. “Fortunately, President Trump and Republicans are reversing Democrats’ assault on American energy. We are unlocking American energy and fighting for America’s energy workers. Wyoming energy workers are powering the nation with energy that is affordable, available, and reliable. “As President Trump ends the war on American energy, Republicans in Congress continue to fight to lower costs for the American people. “Last year, Republicans in Congress used the Congressional Review Act to overturn California’s ban on gas-powered cars. California still relies on permission slips from the Obama era. Democrats want to use them to set new rules to force feed electric vehicles all across the country. “Senator Ricketts and Senator Husted have resolutions that repeal California’s nationwide mandates for electric vehicles. Passing them prevents California Democrats from dictating what cars and trucks Americans can buy or drive. Passing them protects Americans’ pocketbooks from Democrats’ radical demands. Passing them puts American families back into the driver’s seat. “When it comes to electric vehicles, the American people are voting with their wallets. Sales of electric vehicles are down 20 percent in the last year. That was when Republicans repealed the $7,500 Biden-era EV handout. Less than one in ten Americans want an EV. Seven in ten want an SUV. It is time for Washington, D.C., to listen to the American people. “That brings me to the issue of permitting reform. Whether you are filling up your gas tank or heating your home, all Americans want the same thing. They want energy that is affordable, available, and reliable. “America is going to need more of it. A lot more. Our energy grid is under growing strain. Energy demand is rising. Yet, whenever America needs a new power plant, a new pipeline, a new transmission line, or any other critical energy project, building it is harder than it should be. “Major projects spend years stuck in the regulatory penalty box. Surviving the bureaucrats is only half the battle. Trial lawyers and environmental activists use the courts to tie necessary projects for years. A nation that cannot build quickly cannot lower costs. “We have the resources. We have the workers. We have the technology. What we lack is a permitting system that allows us to use them effectively. That is why Congress must pass meaningful permitting reform this year. I believe we can get there. We cannot afford to wait. “Republicans and Democrats in this chamber are determined to fix America’s broken permitting process. Leader Thune has committed to bring bipartisan reform to the Floor as soon as it is ready. I applaud this effort. “I’ve worked on permitting reform for years. America needs more energy. America needs to be able to build smartly. Congress needs to build on past efforts. We must find common ground. This is an issue of affordability. This is an issue of energy. This is an issue of American competitiveness. “Permitting reform is just common sense. Americans want to build. Americans are ready to build. Washington, D.C., needs to get out of the way.” ###