AEA Releases Statement on House Passage of REINS Act

WASHINGTON D.C. — On Wednesday, December 7, 2011, the United States House of Representatives passed the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which returns to Congress the responsibility for approving major regulations affecting the American economy.  This bipartisan measure would require a majority of both chambers of Congress to approve any regulation costing more than $100 million.

AEA President Tom Pyle released the following statement upon House passage of the REINS Act:

“The American Energy Alliance welcomes the shift toward sensible regulation and pro-growth policies marked by yesterday’s passage of the REINS Act in the House of Representatives.  For too long, unaccountable and unelected government officials have acted with impunity in the formation and enforcement of administrative law.  The REINS Act seeks to return to Congress the basic constitutional check of authorizing and overseeing federal regulators.

“Greater transparency in regulation will provide stability and certainty to job creators.  The confidence that the private sector will have in the efficiency and fairness of the regulatory process will mean they spend less time fighting bad regulations and more time creating jobs.  This is a win for the American economy.

“The past decade, through both Republican and Democratic administrations, has seen tremendous growth in the size and power of government, particularly as it relates to the regulation of the energy sector.  With unparalleled energy resources, the United States can and must begin freeing up our vast reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas for exploration and development.  I applaud the House for this first important step in returning responsibility to those who are more directly accountable to the American people and away from unelected bureaucrats and regulators.

The REINS act is a step in the right direction of putting Americans back to work and unleashing the power of affordable energy.”