Now, more than ever, it’s critical that we unleash Pennsylvania’s energy potential. Our nation is counting on it.
Our own energy abundance paves the way for opportunities to sustain jobs, lower rates for energy consumers, and build American strength on the worldwide stage. Right here in the Keystone State, we serve as the second largest natural gas producer in the country—sitting only second to Texas. Our commonwealth’s role as a leader in the energy sector should be embraced and supported—as opposed to being shackled by burdensome regulations.
During the Biden administration, restrictions on oil and gas production, including a Liquified Natural Gas export terminal moratorium, hurt both our consumers’ and allies’ access to cheap, reliable energy during an increasingly volatile time in world markets. Such arbitrary restrictions on U.S. energy production harm American prosperity and provide openings to less friendly suppliers who do not share our interests or those of our more energy-insecure partners.
How can we address this issue? It’s simple: get burdensome, top-down restrictions out of the way so that energy innovation can thrive.
In our commonwealth, we can address this issue head-on by rejecting the Shapiro administration’s PACER, or Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act, which serves as an “alternative” to former Governor Wolf’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative participation. The word alternative should be used lightly, as this initiative still aims to cap-and-tax CO2 emissions, which would still pass on a significant tax burden to consumers.
With respect to the work being done in our nation’s capitol, we can embrace and support our commonwealth’s energy abundance by addressing federal permitting barriers that hold our nation back from innovation. For example, when the National Environmental Policy Act was signed into law in the 1970s, environmental impact reviews took only several weeks to conduct. Now, these reviews can take years. As a result, you, the consumer, pay more.
The solution to ensuring that energy innovation is achieved here in Pennsylvania is to remove the government-imposed barriers that hold us back.
As we approach the Fourth of July, a day that celebrates the freedoms and liberties that we as Americans enjoy, may we reflect on the policy initiatives that can unshackle our energy sector, restore our nation’s strength abroad, and put Pennsylvania in place to restore our competitive advantage.
Take action today. Head to americansforprosperity.org to sign our Energy Reform Pledge. With your help, we can resolve the issues that hold our commonwealth and country back from energy innovation.
This is Emily Greene, State Director with Americans for Prosperity-PA.