U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson (R-OH) and August Pfluger (R-TX) on Jan. 23 unveiled a resolution that denounces the methane emissions fee established under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 and seeks to recognize the benefits and critical role of natural gas in the United States.
“With American energy demand surging, we cannot afford to ignore the power and abundance of American natural gas,” said Rep. Balderson, chairman of the House Energy Action Team.
“American natural gas stands as an unrivaled engine of economic growth and national security,” Rep. Pfluger added.
House Resolution (H.Res.) 57 would recognize the benefits of natural gas to the U.S. economy and environment, and recognize it as an affordable and “green” energy, according to its text.
H.Res. 57 also notes that the IRA “established a punitive fee on methane emissions” that will result in a regressive tax on all Americans, including low-income and fixed-income Americans; results in higher costs to natural gas customers, including families, farmers, and small businesses; and will disproportionately impact natural gas producing regions, and businesses across the natural gas supply will be harmed by government-imposed taxes and fees.
“Since 2005, two-thirds of the power sector greenhouse gas emissions reductions are a direct result of the switch to natural gas,” the text says.
Rep. Balderson also pointed out that “the shale revolution” has transformed communities across Ohio by providing good-paying jobs and has lowered energy costs for consumers across the country. “To be energy dominant, we must utilize our God-given resources and ensure clean, American-produced natural gas is available to our allies across the globe,” he said.
If enacted, H.Res. 57 also would recognize that the U.S. should be committed to an all-of-the-above approach to meet its energy needs, and that natural gas is necessary for the U.S. to be energy dominant, according to the text.
The resolution also supports efforts of the Trump administration to increase domestic production of natural gas and natural gas infrastructure, identify and remove barriers to the production of natural gas, and expedite the approval of new domestic liquified natural gas export facilities.
“As the world’s leading producer of natural gas, America isn’t just creating jobs and revitalizing communities — we’re reshaping global energy markets and providing our allies with a lifeline against hostile energy suppliers,” Rep. Pfluger said. “The time has come to unleash American energy dominance and secure our position as the world’s premier energy exporter.”
The American Exploration & Production Council, the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, and the Consumer Energy Alliance support the resolution, which has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee.