Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) said, “The core tenets of H.R. 1 are simple: lower costs for Americans, remove the bureaucratic red tape holding our energy industry back, and restore America's energy independence.”
“House Republicans passed this bipartisan legislation today to finally give Americans relief – and Joe Biden would do well to side against the anti-energy House Democrats who voted against the bill, abandon his veto threat, and make America an energy superpower again,” Emmer concluded.
The bill will increase domestic energy production, reform the permitting process for new energy projects, repeal the $6 billion natural gas tax and the $27 billion ‘green bank’ slush fund. The Lower Energy Costs Act will also boost domestic production of critical minerals like those mined in Minnesota’s Iron Range.
Julie Lucas, Executive Director of MiningMinnesota said, “As our nation progresses and invests in our infrastructure, we need to ensure that all projects, including mining, are thoroughly and properly evaluated in a responsible, predictable manner. H.R. 1 provides a structured framework that grants all stakeholders, including project proponents, a clear path forward to build our country.”
“At MnCEF we advocate for a market-based, "all-of-the-above" approach to energy, recognizing that the transition to renewable energy will not happen overnight. However, we do not support mandates with arbitrary deadlines that will do nothing but raise costs for Americans; the market is already demanding more renewable energy, which will only continue to increase. H.R. 1 contains important reforms that will streamline getting crucial projects online - increasing America's energy independence, strengthening national security and creating countless jobs. Particularly exciting are the mining provisions, as Minnesota has a rich history of safely extracting metals and critical minerals required for almost everything in our modern world. Our workforce is ready to continue this work to mine the materials the transition to renewable energy cannot happen without, both ethically and with high environmental standards. This bill takes tangible steps that will allow the market and innovations to flourish, driving down costs and moving us meaningfully to the clean energy future we are striving for,” said Kayla Christensen, Executive Director of Minnesota Conservative Energy Forum.
“The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) represents nearly 30,000 farm and ranch families across the state. On behalf of MFBF member families, I am writing in support of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act,” said Dan Glessing, President of the Minnesota Farm Bureau.
Darrick Moe, President & CEO of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association said, “We believe permitting reform is urgently needed to move forward with the ongoing energy transition while keeping the power grid operating reliably.”
Lance Klatt, Executive Director of the Minnesota Service Station & Convenience Store Association said, “MSSA supports HR 1 and the goals of regulatory reform.”
Better In Our Back Yard said, “The permitting process in the U.S. is holding us back from building essential infrastructure – from clean energy to critical mineral projects and more – that would help put America at a competitive advantage by addressing our supply chain vulnerabilities. The much-needed permitting reform that H.R. 1 is pushing for would help projects move forward efficiently without circumventing environmental safe-guards already in place. Never has it been more vital for the U.S. to secure domestic supply chains and in Minnesota’s case, H.R. 1 would be an important step in our ability to access the state’s vast copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals resources.”
“H.R. 1 is a step in the right direction for American energy independence. President Biden and his administration have discouraged and ridiculed American energy production from day one. H.R. 1 will allow decade-long projects to start finally, allowing American energy producers to mine minerals such as copper, cobalt, and nickel. Instead of having us import those materials from foreign nations, we will have them in our backyard. Restoring American energy leadership will lower costs for all Americans while putting good, high-paying jobs back on the market,” said Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT)-University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Campus Vice President Dylan Saue.
Jobs for Minnesotans Chair David Chura said, “Jobs for Minnesotans has consistently advocated for a fair regulatory process – fair to the public, the government agencies and investors alike. The three pillars of a fair process include transparency, predictability and timeliness. Without any of these, the regulatory process loses credibility and fairness for projects being reviewed in our state and in our country. We have watched several mining project proposal timelines get extended time after time, delaying review and creating an unpredictable regulatory environment. The impact on investment in our state is chilling. This is particularly harmful in greater Minnesota, where new investment is desperately needed. We should allow projects the opportunity to prove they can both safely mine for minerals AND protect the surrounding environment all in support of the clean energy transition. H.R. 1 helps achieve these goals.”
Text of the Lower Energy Costs Act can be found here.
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