Homegrown Energy Builds America

Domestic energy production drives employment and lowers the cost of fuel and electricity for families and businesses, in addition to helping American allies across the globe. Over time, the United States has achieved environmental progress without sacrificing jobs, economic growth, or energy security. If we alter our energy policies to rely on foreign countries, all of that will change. Now is the time to lay the groundwork in our energy sector for future generations to come.

Thousands of jobs are supported by the oil and natural gas industry in each of our fifty states. From petroleum engineers to contractors and manufacturers, this industry creates a wide range of jobs across Oklahoma. According to a study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Oklahoma’s energy business supported nearly 390,000 jobs, provided over $32.7 billion in wages, and contributed more than $57.6 billion to the state’s economy in 2019.

Oil and gas are an important factor in accelerating America’s economic recovery and meeting our nation’s long-term energy needs. As a country, we have long sought to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, yet the Biden Administration has completely shifted our American energy dependence to foreign countries. When President Biden took office, he eliminated thousands of jobs with the stroke of a pen by implementing a ban on drilling on federal lands and cancelling the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. These actions put America’s energy independence in jeopardy and imperiled the safe movement of energy and resources throughout Oklahoma and the rest of the country.

After taking these punitive actions against our oil and natural gas industry, President Biden begged OPEC+ to increase production of foreign oil to meet our economy’s needs and offset skyrocketing gas prices. OPEC+ flatly refused, saying there was no need. Instead of relying on OPEC+ to increase production in order to lower energy costs for Americans, we should be focusing on strategies that create jobs, empower long-term security, and ensure America’s energy independence.

As a Member of the House Energy Action Team, I will work with my colleagues to enact strategies that lower energy costs for consumers and create more American jobs, all while reducing emissions. American families benefit from homegrown natural gas and oil. The future of American energy production must be domestic to promote accessibility and stability, which will protect our nation’s security and economic interests.