OPINION:
As the United States stands at the crossroads of its energy future, two things are abundantly clear: we need more energy production to meet American’s demands, and the Biden administration’s war on North American energy production must come to quick and decisive end.
House Republicans have been working diligently to reverse the Biden administration’s anti-energy policies and unleash our natural energy resources. But we have much more work to do.
At the heart of our legislative work and the discussions we have with energy experts and constituents alike lies the subject of baseload capacity. This term may not elicit the same enthusiasm as the renewable energy solutions that seem to dominate headlines, but it is nonetheless indispensable in providing stability and prosperity for our people and nation.
The importance of baseload capacity cannot be overstated, especially for the millions of manufacturing jobs that help underpin our economy. If we don’t have enough energy to keep the lights on and the machines running, Americans will suffer, and we will fall behind.
I represent Ohio’s Fifth District in Congress, the largest manufacturing district in the state of Ohio. With over 86,000 manufacturing jobs, my district must have an abundance of energy that is available and affordable to compete in a world market. And having an adequate baseload capacity plays a pivotal role in meeting the needs of manufacturers which keep factories humming, production lines moving, and workers employed.
I remain concerned about a rush to fully ’green’ energy sources, spearheaded by the Biden administration. This also includes the misguided rush to end production of internal combustion engine vehicles in favor of all-electric vehicle fleets. Let me be clear: I fully support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that invests in all forms of energy, including wind, solar, nuclear, hydropower, and more. I also believe Americans should be able to choose which vehicle they want to drive, whether that’s an electric or gas-powered vehicle. However, the current state of America’s energy infrastructure simply cannot accommodate a wholesale transition to renewable energy sources overnight.
Another notable stumbling block in this rushed transition to green energy sources is the recent de facto ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. This is a move that directly contradicts economic and environmental pragmatism. U.S. LNG offers a cleaner alternative to imports from geopolitical adversaries like Russia and provides a pathway towards North American energy independence while reducing emissions. By restricting domestic LNG exports, we risk undermining America’s competitiveness on the global stage and perpetuating reliance on less sustainable energy sources.
This is exactly what energy expert witnesses who have appeared before the House Energy and Commerce Committee have confirmed to me time and time again. It’s a simple concept: we need to produce more energy in this country, not less.
Instead of rushing into a ’green’ energy transition, we should follow a pragmatic approach to an ’energy expansion’ movement.
Looking ahead, the House Energy and Commerce Committee has a crucial role to play in shaping America’s energy future. By fostering collaboration between industry stakeholders, policymakers, and environmental advocates, the committee can develop visionary solutions that balance the essentials of economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and energy security. We need to focus on bolstering the capacity and resiliency of our energy grid to accommodate a diverse array of energy sources, including renewables, natural gas, and nuclear power.
As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the House Energy Action Team (HEAT), and the Conservative Climate Caucus, I’m committed to collaborating with my colleagues on policies that support an all-of-the-above energy approach. This includes building upon legislation I’ve had signed into law that strengthens the resiliency of our electric grid and invests in nuclear power. And last year, I joined my colleagues in crafting H.R. 1 the Lower Energy Costs Act which pushes back on the Biden administration’s anti-U.S. energy agenda by expanding domestic energy production, reforming the permitting process for all industries, and boosting the production and processing of critical minerals. I was pleased my REFINER Act, which would increase energy refining capacity in the United States, was included in this package.
While the path to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future is fraught with challenges, it is also brimming with opportunities for innovation and growth.
By recognizing the importance of baseload capacity, resisting knee-jerk reactions that undermine domestic energy production, and embracing innovative solutions, America will be on the right path to a brighter and more reliable energy future.
• Rep. Bob Latta is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He is chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee and is a member of the Energy and Health Subcommittees. He also co-chairs the Grid Innovation Caucus and is a member of the House Energy Action Team and the Conservative Climate Caucus. During his congressional tenure, he has had 33 bills and provisions signed into law.
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