Today, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a final rule to revise the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) oil and gas leasing regulations that will increase and create new regulatory fees and stifle energy development.
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) criticized the Biden administration's move, stating, "The Biden administration will stop at nothing to make American energy more expensive and more difficult to access in their tireless quest to chase unattainable campaign promises and undefined climate goals."
Additionally, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) expressed disappointment, saying, "I’m disheartened to see the Biden Administration’s Bureau of Land Management finalize its misguided rule today, which will increase energy prices for the American people, jeopardize our energy independence, and make us reliable on adversarial nations like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela for our energy."
The rule is expected to have a detrimental impact on American energy producers on federal lands, ultimately leading to increased energy costs for consumers.
House Republicans had foreseen this development, with Chairman Westerman highlighting their proactive approach, "Just last month, we passed Congresswoman Boebert's Restoring American Energy Dominance Act, which will require the BLM to withdraw this burdensome and unnecessary rule."
The Biden administration's recent actions, including the reduction of fees on renewable energy, have been seen as aligning with the Green New Deal agenda, further raising concerns within the energy sector.
Since taking office, President Biden has implemented several policies that have been criticized for hampering American energy production. These measures include revoking the Keystone XL pipeline permit, pausing new oil and gas leasing on federal lands, and canceling oil and gas leases in Alaska.
The House of Representatives recently passed legislation supporting domestic energy production and aiming to lower energy costs for consumers, demonstrating ongoing efforts to bolster American energy independence.
The overarching narrative presented by critics of the administration's energy policies is that they risk compromising American energy security and economic stability while benefiting foreign competitors.
