Examining Republican’s H.R. 1: Energy Independence Over Climate Alarmism

Western governments have blindly given in to the hype of climate activists and in doing so, have put their people in danger. While the U.S. and Europe deplete energy resources and push for a transition to green energy, other major producers like Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia are doubling down on traditional energy sources.

During his presidency, Donald Trump prioritized domestic energy production and worked to remove regulatory barriers that hindered energy infrastructure development. As a result, the U.S. saw a significant increase in energy production and reserves. For example, the U.S. became a net exporter of oil and natural gas for the first time in over fifty years.

But under the leadership of President Joe Biden, progressive climate alarmists have taken center stage, and U.S. energy production has been handicapped by new regulations — resulting in soaring inflation and a decline in America’s standing on the world stage. Republicans in Congress, though, are fighting back — offering a way out of this mess by introducing the “Lower Energy Costs Act,” which the Democratic-controlled Senate’s Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, has deemed the energy bill “dead on arrival” in the Senate.

An underreported solution—House Republican’s H.R.1

House Republicans have introduced their first bill of the new Congress — H.R. 1, or the “Lower Energy Costs Act.” The designation H.R.1, or ‘House Resolution 1,’ means it is the first bill in the legislative session and typically represents the party’s top legislative priorities.

H.R. 1 aims to secure our nation’s energy independence by re-investing in domestic energy production and reducing our reliance on foreign energy sources. The bill comes when the world grapples with rising energy prices, China’s increasing influence in the energy and financial market, and the destabilizing impact of the Russian-Ukraine war.

The bill is comprehensive — aiming to boost domestic coal, natural gas, and oil production while alleviating restrictions on pipeline and refinery production. It also seeks to increase the production of minerals critical to the production of technology like electric vehicles and digital devices, like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Despite the potential benefits of this bill, President Biden has threatened to veto it if it passes through Congress.

Why Does It Matter?

Recall supply chain disruptions at the beginning of COVID—empty grocery store shelves, medicine shortages, and skyrocketing prices of basic household needs. This was all because America, after decades of shipping jobs overseas, no longer had the industrial capacity to produce these items itself. So, it had to rely on purchasing these items from other countries—and on complex supply chains that quickly broke down amid the crisis.

Now, imagine the same scenario but during an energy crisis. Prices would be the least of Americans’ worries — rolling blackouts, spoiled food, and hot summers with no air conditioning would be the norm. (Rolling blackouts already happen regularly in California, a state that struggles to keep up its energy supply.) As President Biden sells American energy to foreign adversaries, reduces the production capacity of oil and gas, and depletes America’s strategic oil reserves, this future only increases in probability.

Moreover, without high domestic energy production, the U.S. is not just at risk of supply disruptions and price spikes but also the whims of foreign countries who ignore climate alarmism — especially ones with major energy reserves Saudi Arabia, and Russia. Put simply, President Joe Biden’s policies are putting Americans at risk while strengthening our rivals:

• China is taking a leadership role on the world stage, brokering a landmark peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, to advance a multi-billion dollar refinery project with the former.

• Beijing has cozied up with Russia (a major exporter of crude oil and natural gas) and is helping Russia bypass Western sanctions through ‘shadow fleets’ shipping Russian oil around the world.

• China has backed liquified natural gas trades with France, backed for the first time in history by the yuan, and is buying American natural gas at a record rate.

• And just yesterday, China doubled down on coal as part of its national energy security drive.

Reality catches up

The President’s ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ of 2022, a massive thousand-page bill with a 750 billion dollar price tag, was filled with hidden climate provisions, stripping the U.S. of its claim to energy independence. (Much of the money is ending up at White House-connected firms with “deep ties” to China).

Reality is catching up to the White House as the administration scrambles to reverse its actions, upsetting progressive activists. President Biden’s recent announcement of new drilling efforts in Alaska highlights the competing interests within his administration. On the one hand, there are hard-line officials who prioritize clean energy policies, while on the other hand, there are more pragmatic officials who recognize the importance of energy independence and security as energy demand grows.

But the effects go beyond lower prices or corporate profits. During worldwide crises like the Russia-Ukraine war and the frightening trend of potential de-dollarization, the U.S. cannot afford to make decisions at the behest of other countries. Striking a balance between clean energy policies and energy independence will be key to securing America’s economic and national security interests in the decades to come. From the pump to the grocery shelf, these trends are having real impacts on Americans’ everyday lives. The ramifications go even further — energy independence is critical to national security. This is what H.R. 1 addresses and why it may be worth another look, despite the media blackout of its introduction.