Johnson, GOP colleagues: U.S. has ‘monumental opportunity’ to provide natural resources

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) recently led 19 of his fellow Republicans in urging President Joe Biden against playing politics with America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

“There is a better way that will provide lasting energy price relief and security for American families,” the members wrote in an Oct. 25 letter sent to Biden. “Our nation’s abundant natural resources should be unleashed to provide homegrown solutions.”

Rep. Johnson and his colleagues pointed out that the United States now leads the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to its “shale revolution,” and not only has abundant natural gas resources to meet growing domestic demand, but to also export its surplus of critical energy resources to Africa, Asia, and its European allies.

“Global demand is only going up,” wrote Rep. Johnson and his colleagues. “Now is a monumental opportunity for America to lead in providing the world with clean, reliable energy.”

The lawmakers also said that increasing the nation’s energy infrastructure is critical to ensuring the U.S. can meet its growing energy demands while continuing to reduce emissions. 

To do that, “we need a holistic approach that includes additional pipelines and U.S. refining capacity,” they wrote. “It is also important that we unleash the natural resources on federal lands that offer a solution to combat high energy prices, and we encourage your administration to support production on federal lands.”

Additionally, Rep. Johnson and the lawmakers requested that Biden end his “regulatory war” on America’s oil and gas producers and encourage more open collaboration with regulators and stakeholders on climate solutions.

“In conclusion, these policies are simple and will advance our climate goals while bolstering our energy security,” according to their letter. “We encourage you to take this crucial step to help lower the high energy costs burdening Americans across the country.”

Among the members who joined Rep. Johnson in signing the letter were U.S Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Carol Miller (R-WV), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Mike Turner (R-OH), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Steve Womack (R-AR), and David Valadao (R-CA).