Earthjustice Statement on House Energy Legislation

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee held legislative hearings on oil and gas, mining, and permitting, and the House Energy and Commerce Committee held markups on 16 pieces of energy and environmental legislation. These events previewed the energy policy priorities of the new Republican House Majority, which they plan to package together and bring to the House floor in the next month. After the hearings, Earthjustice Vice President of Policy and Legislation Martin Hayden issued the following statement:

“Republicans continue to show just how disconnected they are from the realities facing our nation. In the face of devastating hurricanes, wildfires, and floods that have cost us billions of dollars and real human lives, they are continuing to do the bidding of the fossil fuel and mining industries and doubling down on an energy policy that is destroying our future. It’s a complete contrast from the previous Congress that passed the largest investment in clean energy and environmental justice in history that is already jumpstarting our energy transition, lowering costs, and creating over 100,000 new jobs.

“We have the tools and solutions necessary to fight climate change and advance environmental justice. Our bedrock environmental laws like NEPA, the Clean Air Act, Solid Waste Disposal Act, and Toxic Substances Control Act provide a bridge, not a barrier, to an equitable clean energy transition. NEPA, for example, ensures that the voices of communities most impacted by energy development have a say in the projects that would affect their communities. Instead of fighting to squeeze every possible dollar in profits for oil and gas and mining companies from our precious natural resources, this Congress should stay focused on building on the success on the Inflation Reduction Act and safeguarding a livable planet for future generations.”