House Committee on Natural Resources held its first hearing of the 118th Congress, titled "Unleashing America's Energy and Mineral Potential." Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:
"America should be the world leader in energy and mineral production and innovation. We have the brightest minds, the most rigorous environmental standards and vast reserves of natural resources. Yet we've seen the Biden administration deal blow after devastating blow to our resources, crippling communities that depend on energy jobs and revenues, weakening us on the global stage and threatening our long-term energy security. It's horrifying to see China, Russia, Venezuela and other adversarial nations cashing in on President Biden's refusal to unlock American energy and minerals. That's why we're using our new Republican majority to take swift, decisive action, holding this administration accountable for their actions and putting forward solutions that unleash our resources through responsible, scientific means. Anything less is a disservice to our country."
Background
Committee witnesses testified on numerous angles of an all-of-the-above energy approach, including oil, natural gas, renewables and hardrock minerals.
Even with an increase in renewable energy technology, conventional energy resources will remain a necessary component of the worldwide energy mix for many decades to come. The Energy Information Administration predicts a 50 percent increase in global energy consumption by 2050, with petroleum and other liquid fuels remaining the largest energy source. Maximizing American energy production will limit the need to import from other nations, reduce global emissions and high energy costs, create jobs domestically and help our allies abroad.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) also remains a significant barrier for energy development of all kinds, including renewable energy and transmission projects. The current permitting process is filled with repetitive, duplicative assessments and prolonged processing, making it difficult for developers to plan, finance, and build projects efficiently.
Today's hearing was the first step of many that Republican members will take to open up access to domestic energy and minerals, streamline permitting processes and engage with Americans from coast to coast on ways to conserve our resources for generations to come.
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