The House Republicans have taken an important step to hold the Biden Administration accountable for its misguided policies by launching a probe into the handling of fossil fuel leasing practices. The probe was launched after a leaked memo that prioritized climate considerations over energy security and was led by the Republican leaders of two key House committees, James Comer of Kentucky and Bruce Westerman of Arkansas.
The memo had recommended charging energy companies a royalty rate of 18.75%, which is the highest allowable rate under the law, for a large oil and gas lease sale in Alaska.
The Republicans were quick to criticize the Department of Interior’s (DOI) oil and gas leasing delays and Laura Daniel-Davis’ recent memo. Chairman Pat Fallon, R-Texas, of the Oversight Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs, and Chairman Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations also signed the letter, along with seventeen more House Republicans.
“The Biden Administration has obstructed America’s energy producers in an effort to force a radical Green New Deal agenda on the American people,” Comer told Fox News in a statement.
“The Democrats’ ongoing war against America’s oil and gas industry has only driven energy prices higher and families across the country are paying the price.”
The letter also criticized the DOI’s prioritization of its climate agenda above states’ revenue streams, economic development, and the energy security of all Americans. “Congress must ensure DOI is fulfilling their responsibility to advance policies that unleash American energy production and strengthen an industry that provides good-paying job opportunities,” Comer noted further, according to the network’s report.
In response to the leaked memo, the Republicans demanded greater congressional oversight of DOI and BOEM, and accused the Biden Administration of elevating President Biden’s radical eco-agenda above common-sense policies. The Republicans also accused the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. Department of the Interior of actively contributing to Biden’s ongoing energy crisis, which threatens America’s national security, discourages future investment, and causes lasting damage to the economy.
It’s time for the Biden Administration to wake up and realize the harm its misguided policies are causing to the American people. The Republicans will continue to hold the administration accountable for its actions and ensure that the DOI is fulfilling its responsibility to advance policies that unleash American energy production and strengthen the industry that provides good-paying job opportunities to Americans.
source https://conservativebrief.com/leaked-memo-72860/