The Energy and Commerce Committee announced on the social media platform X that natural gas, oil, and coal are necessary baseload power sources to secure the U.S. electric grid.
According to the committee's post on August 27, it declared, "To keep our grid online we need reliable baseload power, not flimsy sources that rely on government subsidies." The committee emphasized that natural gas, oil, and coal provide reliable electricity "24/7/365" and secure access to the grid. This statement reflects the committee’s repeated position that fossil fuels, unlike intermittent renewable sources, form the backbone of affordable and secure American energy.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), natural gas was the largest source of U.S. electricity generation in 2023, accounting for approximately 43%, while coal contributed about 16%. The EIA notes that these "dispatchable" energy sources can be relied upon to generate power continuously, unlike variable renewables such as wind and solar. This data underlines the Energy and Commerce Committee’s claim that fossil fuels are necessary to keep the U.S. grid stable and online.
On August 25, the U.S. Department of Energy said that "Wind and solar energy have been built on heavy subsidization" and argued that ending taxpayer support for these sources was essential. The Department of Energy emphasized that subsidies have propped up unreliable and more expensive electricity, while natural gas and coal remain critical to ensuring grid stability. The statement concluded that prioritizing affordable, reliable, and secure baseload energy is necessary to prevent disruptions in service for American consumers.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, founded in 1795, is the oldest standing committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. According to its official history, the committee has jurisdiction over issues such as energy, commerce, telecommunications, healthcare, and consumer protection. Chaired by Representative Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, the committee exercises oversight authority on policies that directly impact the reliability of the national electric grid and the balance of U.S. energy resources.
