U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) on May 31 sponsored a resolution that would recognize natural gas produced in the United States as an affordable and green energy that is necessary for the nation to be energy independent.
“This resolution recognizes the leading role of natural gas in powering our daily lives and rejects the false notion that a cleaner environment can only be achieved at the peril of the United States’ energy security and independence,” Rep. Balderson said during a June 1 press conference with Ohio energy advocates held at an oil and gas well site in Licking County, Ohio, to announce House Resolution 1148.
If enacted, H.Res. 1148 also would recognize that the U.S. should be committed to an all-of-the-above approach to meet its energy needs, and encourages the Biden administration to support U.S. production of natural gas and natural gas infrastructure and identify and remove barriers to the production of natural gas, according to the text of the resolution.
The congressman said the resolution officially recognizes American natural gas as a “green and clean” energy source, and noted that in Ohio, natural gas has already reduced carbon emissions from power generation by 38 percent.
“It’s green. It’s clean. And it’s abundant right under our feet, right here in Ohio,” said Rep. Balderson during the press conference. “Unleashing America’s abundant natural gas is the solution to affordable energy, a cleaner environment, and lessening our reliance on bad actors.
“The resolution also calls on the Biden administration to support natural gas infrastructure and the production of natural gas by identifying and removing barriers for producers,” he added.
The resolution is supported by the Ohio Gas Association, the Marcellus Shale Coalition, the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia, Knox Energy Inc., the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program, the Consumer Energy Alliance, and the Utica Energy Alliance.
The legislation has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee.