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Graves, Westerman Introduce Legislation Promoting Access to American Energy

Washington, D.C., September 29, 2022 | Justin Harclerode (202) 225-9446
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Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) and House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR) introduced the Transparency and Production of (TAP) American Energy Act. 

"We need to make America energy independent again. We have all the tools to do it – the Biden Administration just lacks the willpower to get the job done," Graves said. "The TAP American Energy Act will enact common-sense reforms to streamline critical pipeline and energy infrastructure approvals, jumpstart American energy production, and restore American energy independence – regardless of who is in the White House. This is a blueprint for how we can lower gas prices, strengthen our energy grid, and fight the rising cost of living in this country."

"American families have been on the front lines of dealing with the Biden administration's failed energy policies," Westerman said. "Skyrocketing gas prices, threats of rolling blackouts, inflated grocery costs, more expensive home heating and cooling bills - these are just a sampling of the energy crises we've faced under Democrat control. It's time to reverse this downward trajectory and become fully energy independent. This is a pivotal part of the Republican commitment to America: that we will maximize American-made energy and reduce reliance on foreign countries. The TAP American Energy Act is a comprehensive solution doing just that by responsibly opening up access to our rich natural resources, reforming and streamlining permitting processes and incentivizing innovation. I'm honored to lead this effort and lower energy costs across the country."

Background

The TAP American Energy Act would provide a much-needed jumpstart to American energy production and infrastructure. By eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, empowering the energy sector to innovate, expanding access to federal lands and waters for responsible energy development, and more, the U.S. can surpass anyone else in the world in reliable energy while incentivizing a true all-of-the-above energy approach.

The TAP American Energy Act would:

  • Prevent any president from imposing bans on federal energy leasing and mineral withdrawals without congressional approval.
  • Require the Department of the Interior (DOI) to immediately resume quarterly lease sales on federal lands and require a minimum of four leases sales per year in each state with eligible lands.
  • Require a minimum of two annual oil and gas lease sales in available federal waters in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area and in the Alaska Region of the Outer Continental Shelf.
  • Require the publication of the 2023-2028 plan for offshore oil and gas lease sales by Dec. 30, 2022, and that DOI meet certain deadlines for publishing future five-year plans.
  • Require Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements for all forms of energy development to be completed within one and two years, respectively.
  • Amend the Geothermal Steam Act to require a yearly lease sale for geothermal energy.
  • Streamline the environmental review process to allow pipeline, renewable energy and energy infrastructure projects to move forward efficiently and without compromising environmental protections. 
  • Eliminate requirements for duplicative review and analyses, reducing delays for important upgrades and improvements of our energy infrastructure.

    Read the full bill text here.

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