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Americans are facing rising energy costs, forcing too many families to make difficult decisions about which other goods and services they can afford. This should not be the norm. Working families deserve access to abundant, affordable, and reliable energy, allowing them to put their hard-earned money toward the priorities that matter most to them.
Achieving this goal requires rejecting unworkable electricity rate caps and renewable energy mandates. Green energy mandates imposed by the Biden-Harris Administration have undermined grid reliability and driven up costs, while federal and state regulations have forced reliable power sources to retire before adequate replacements are available. These policies threaten our energy security and place additional burdens on consumers. That is why I am a cosponsor of the Energy Choice Act, which would prevent state and local governments from banning or restricting specific energy services, including natural gas and electricity, in homes and buildings.
America’s permitting system is also in desperate need of reform. Slow, burdensome, and unpredictable review processes have contributed to higher costs, delayed infrastructure development, and strained our electric grid. Manufacturers face extended construction timelines and rising project costs that put American businesses at a competitive disadvantage. As Chairwoman of the Rules Committee, I was proud to help usher the passage of the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. This legislation would cut unnecessary red tape, accelerate responsible infrastructure development, and allow America to meet its rapidly growing energy demands while maintaining strong environmental stewardship.
As we expand our electric grid to meet America’s growing energy needs, including the increasing demand from data centers, we must ensure that working families are not left footing the bill. I was proud to vote for the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, which would protect consumers from higher electricity costs associated with data center development. Across the country, data centers are bringing new investment, jobs, and technological opportunities to local communities. However, their development also raises legitimate questions about the strain on local electric grids and the cost to nearby residents. One principle must remain clear: American families should never be forced to subsidize the electricity needs of large technology companies.
Congress needs to make sure onerous regulatory burdens don’t stand in the way of accessing or advancing all forms of American energy. We must ensure clean air, clean water and a healthy, safe environment based on science, not top-down regulation. American energy independence can be achieved in a way that respects our environment while strengthening our economy and adding good American jobs.
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