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Coalition Opposes Carbon Tax; Requests Meeting with White House 

February 15, 2017 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON – Today the American Energy Alliance (AEA) and a coalition of free-market and conservative organizations sent a letter to White House chief economic advisor Gary Cohn to request a meeting with the Administration on the issue of a carbon tax. The signers of the letter include Thomas Pyle of AEA, Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform, Michael Needham of Heritage Action for America, Myron Ebell of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, and Adam Brandon of FreedomWorks. The following is an excerpt from the letter:

We are reaching out to you following the widely publicized meeting you attended on February 8 with members of the “Climate Leadership Council” to discuss their ideas regarding the establishment of a nationwide carbon tax.

Our organizations have significant concerns regarding any prospective carbon tax proposal. Such a policy would place undue economic burdens on American families and businesses by intentionally increasing the cost of the energy they rely on every day. A carbon tax would also be regressive – doing the most harm to our nation’s economically disadvantaged – and would destroy American jobs, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

We are heartened by the fact that President Trump flatly rejected the notion of a carbon tax during his 2016 candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. We are equally heartened that streamlining our nation’s vastly overgrown and economically destructive regulatory system remains one of the President’s top priorities. This Administration is already taking steps to eliminate harmful regulations such as the so-called “Clean Power Plan,” because doing so will be good for American workers, families, and businesses. Adding a new tax on energy in return would represent an extremely costly step in the wrong direction – one that those workers, families, and businesses cannot afford.

We respectfully request a meeting with you to further discuss our concerns regarding a carbon tax and to provide additional information that may be helpful in your assessment of the issue. Each of our organizations has a unique perspective to offer; together, we represent a nationwide coalition of activists, concerned citizens, and stakeholders who have a vested interest in ensuring the formulation of sound energy and tax policy that will best support, serve, and strengthen our great nation.

Click here to view the full letter.

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Filed Under: Blog, Carbon Tax, Press Releases Tagged With: , , , ,

Key Vote: Senate BLM Methane CRA

February 14, 2017 by 2 Comments

Several weeks ago, the House of Representatives passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to repeal the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulation for methane venting and flaring. We urge Senators to vote YES on this CRA resolution.

The Congressional Review Act allows for Congress to halt certain regulatory actions. Congress can pass a joint resolution of disapproval for a rule within 60 legislative days of publication and prohibit agencies from enacting any substantially similar rules. The BLM methane rule, which was finalized in December of 2016, is a prime example of costly regulatory excess and is ripe for review under the CRA. According to the American Action Forum, this rule will cost $1.8 billion.

The BLM methane rule would require the oil and gas sector to take unnecessarily costly measures to reduce methane emissions on federal lands by up to 45 percent by 2025. However the rule would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by a mere 0.0092 percent, making this “all economic pain for no environmental gain” rule the poster child for excessive and unnecessary government regulation.

Furthermore, this regulation ignores the significant strides that the industry is already making. According to the EPA, methane emissions fell by 13 percent from 2011—2014—a time when natural gas production significantly increased. In addition, methane emissions from hydraulic fracturing fell by 81 percent from 2012—2014. We don’t need a federal regulation to force oil and gas producers to control their methane emissions—methane itself is a versatile fuel source and valuable commodity.

The BLM methane rule is an unnecessary regulation that will destroy jobs and make energy more expensive for American families. AEA will score this vote in its American Energy Scorecard. Senators should vote YES on the CRA resolution to repeal the BLM’s methane rule.

Filed Under: Blog

AEA Applauds Congress for Passing Stream Rule CRA Resolution

February 2, 2017 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON – The American Energy Alliance (AEA) applauds Congress for passing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to repeal the previous administration’s costly Stream Protection Rule. AEA President Thomas Pyle issued the following statement:

“We applaud Congress for taking swift action to halt this costly and duplicative regulation. This midnight regulation from the Obama administration was a direct attack on responsible coal production and would have threatened tens of thousands of jobs, while making energy more expensive for American families. This is an important step in resetting years of bad policy and ensuring that Americans continue to benefit from one of our most abundant, affordable, and reliable sources of energy. We look forward to President Trump signing the resolution and officially putting an end to this senseless regulation.”

AEA is including both the Senate and House votes in its American Energy Scorecard.

Click here to read AEA’s key-vote alert.

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Filed Under: Blog, Press Releases Tagged With: , , ,

EPW Democrats Should Do Their Job

February 1, 2017 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON – American Energy Alliance President Thomas Pyle issued the following statement after Senate Democrats boycotted the Environment and Public Works Committee’s vote on Scott Pruitt’s nomination to lead the EPA:

“The EPW Democrats should stop their political grandstanding and do their job. President Trump should be afforded the same long-honored tradition as previous first-term presidents to quickly assemble his cabinet and execute the policies that he promised and that the American people voted for. Scott Pruitt has proven throughout his career and again during his confirmation hearing that he will be a champion for American families, real environmental improvement, and the rule of law. That’s the sort of leadership that has long been missing at the EPA. Senators should of course vote their conscience, but they should not stand in the way of the will of the American people.”

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Filed Under: Blog, Press Releases Tagged With: , , , ,

AEA Supports Judge Neil Gorsuch for the U.S. Supreme Court

January 31, 2017 by 2 Comments

WASHINGTON — The American Energy Alliance (AEA) applauds President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill Justice Antonin Scalia’s seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. AEA President Thomas Pyle issued the following statement in support of Judge Gorsuch’s nomination:

“President Trump has made another outstanding decision by nominating Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Throughout his career Judge Gorsuch has displayed great respect for the separation of powers and a firm adherence to the Constitution. He has an impeccable record of sound legal opinions and is an outspoken critic of the doctrine of Chevron Deference, which has placed far too much power in unelected and unaccountable federal bureaucrats. Judge Gorsuch’s belief that the Constitution should be interpreted as written is greatly needed after years of excessive regulation and increased power in the executive branch. AEA urges members of the U.S. Senate to honor Justice Scalia’s legacy and stand up for families across the nation by supporting the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch.”

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Filed Under: Blog, Press Releases Tagged With: , , , ,

Key Vote: Stream Rule and BLM Methane CRAs

January 31, 2017 by 1 Comment

This week, the House of Representatives is set to vote on two Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions aimed at repealing Obama regulations limiting responsible coal and natural gas production. The resolutions would nullify the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulation for methane venting and flaring and the Interior Department’s Stream Protection Rule (SPR). We urge Representatives to vote YES on both resolutions.

The Congressional Review Act allows for Congress to halt certain regulatory actions. Congress can pass a joint resolution of disapproval for a rule within 60 legislative days of publication and prohibit agencies from enacting any substantially similar rules. The BLM methane rule and the Interior Department Stream Protection Rule, which were finalized in November and December of 2016, are prime examples of costly regulatory excess and are ripe for review under the CRA. According to the American Action Forum, these two rules combined will cost $3.5 billion.

The BLM methane rule would require the oil and gas sector to take unnecessarily costly measures to reduce methane emissions on federal lands by up to 45 percent by 2025. However the rule would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by a mere 0.0092 percent, making this “all economic pain for no environmental gain” rule the poster child for excessive and unnecessary government regulation.

Furthermore, this regulation ignores the significant strides that the industry is already making. According to the EPA, methane emissions fell by 13 percent from 2011—2014—a time when natural gas production significantly increased. In addition, methane emissions from hydraulic fracturing fell by 81 percent from 2012—2014. We don’t need a federal regulation to force oil and gas producers to control their methane emissions—methane itself is a versatile fuel source and valuable commodity.

Similarly, the Interior Department’s Stream Protection Rule is an unnecessary federal regulation. The SPR is largely duplicative—the EPA and Fish and Wildlife Service already administer many of the Interior Department’s new regulatory changes. The Department of Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement estimates that the SPR would lead to additional annual compliance costs of $52 million. According to some estimates, the SPR could put over 280,000 jobs at risk, including up to 78,000 in the coal mining industry. This regulation would have the largest impact on the people of West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania—states that have already endured years of costly regulations from the Obama administration’s war on affordable and reliable energy.

The BLM methane rule and the Interior Department’s Stream Protection Rule are unnecessary regulations that will destroy jobs and make energy more expensive for American families. AEA will score both votes in its American Energy Scorecard. Representatives should vote YES on the CRA resolutions to repeal both the BLM’s methane rule and the Interior Department’s Stream Protection Rule.

Filed Under: Blog, Scorecard Tagged With:

AEA Applauds Action on Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines

January 24, 2017 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON – President Trump has signed executive actions today to advance the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines and to streamline the permitting process for important energy and infrastructure projects. The American Energy Alliance (AEA) looks forward to analyzing these particular actions when the White House releases the final text of the orders. AEA President Thomas Pyle issued the following statement:

“President Trump is wasting no time implementing the pro-growth energy policies he talked about on the campaign trail. More importantly, with these actions today, President Trump is signaling that the federal government will once again honor the rule of law.

“Keystone XL and the Dakota Access Pipeline are long overdue infrastructure projects that have been senselessly and needlessly delayed by politics. In both cases, the previous administration changed the rules in the middle of the game, violating the rule of law and betraying Americans’ trust in the federal government. The Trump administration is sending a strong signal that it is serious about putting Americans’ needs first and that pipelines and other important energy projects will no longer languish due to political pressure from the ‘keep-it-in-the-ground’ crowd.

“Pipelines are a safe, efficient way to transport our energy resources and are critical to strengthening the economy. While these two projects are important, the real story here is that the federal government is no longer going to play political games by slow-walking permits or changing course in the middle of a legal process. It is refreshing to have an administration that recognizes the undeniable link between sound energy policy and a strong America.”

Click here to read IER’s latest analysis on how the Obama administration violated the rule of law on the Dakota Access Pipeline.

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Filed Under: Blog, Press Releases Tagged With: , , ,

AEA Statement on EPA’s Final Determination for Fuel Economy Mandate

January 13, 2017 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON – The American Energy Alliance (AEA) opposes the Obama administration’s decision to move forward with its unrealistic and costly fuel economy mandate for 2022-2025. AEA spokesman Chris Warren released the following statement:

“The Obama administration is trying to cement an agenda that the American people have rejected—not just at the polls, but also through their vehicle choices. The fuel economy mandates for 2022-2025 are outrageously unrealistic and will make it increasingly difficult for American families to afford new cars. Politics are clearly the motivating factor behind the Obama administration’s decision as they broke with their own timeline to ram this costly mandate through before January 20th. We look forward to the Trump administration taking a more level-headed approach that puts fuel economy standards in line with the needs of American families.”

Click here to read the Institute for Energy Research’s official comment.

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Filed Under: Blog, Press Releases Tagged With: , , ,

Coalition Calls on Senate to Confirm Pruitt as EPA Chief

January 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON — Today the American Energy Alliance released a coalition letter signed by more than 20 organizations urging the Senate to confirm Scott Pruitt as the next EPA Administrator. Below is an excerpt from the letter:

Attorney General Pruitt has consistently fought for Oklahoma families and communities and has been a stalwart defender against federal intrusion into state and individual rights. Notably, Mr. Pruitt led a multi-state effort opposing the EPA’s unlawful attempt to take over the nation’s electricity grid under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. The EPA’s plan would shutter an estimated 40 GW of reliable and affordable energy, unnecessarily harming American families for little to no environmental benefit.

In recent years, the EPA has been chronically late on complying with deadlines. In a study assessing 1,000 deadlines across the four major stationary source programs, the Competitive Enterprise Institute found that the EPA missed 84 percent of their Clean Air Act deadlines and was late by an average of 4.3 years. Mr. Pruitt will work to get the EPA back on track and in compliance with its statutory Clean Air Act responsibilities.

Attorney General Pruitt has stood up for states, families, and the Constitution by opposing the Administration’s unconstitutional regulatory overreach through the re-definition of the “waters of the United States.” This rule was so invasive that small ditches on family farms or near businesses could have been subject to federal regulation. Mr. Pruitt filed suit against the EPA, refusing to subject Oklahomans and other Americans to this unconstitutional regulation without exhausting all legal pathways.

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Mr. Pruitt has demonstrated his commitment to upholding the Constitution and ensuring the EPA works for American families and consumers. Under Mr. Pruitt, we hope the EPA will follow the laws set forth by Congress and cooperate with states to advance its mission of keeping our air clean and our water pure. We fully support Mr. Pruitt for the position of EPA Administrator and encourage the Senate to swiftly approve his nomination.

Click here to view the full letter.

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Filed Under: Blog, Press Releases Tagged With: , ,

AEA Key Votes Regulatory Reform Bills

January 4, 2017 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON — Today the American Energy Alliance urged all Representatives to vote YES on both the REINS Act and the Midnight Rules Relief Act. Below is the text of AEA’s key-vote alert:

This week, the House is set to vote on two regulatory reform measures. The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act would increase accountability and transparency in the federal regulatory process. The Midnight Rules Relief Act would ease the process by which Congress can consider Congressional Review Acts (CRA), expediting the process of rolling back overbearing regulations. Representatives should vote YES on both bills.

The REINS Act would require a joint resolution of approval from Congress for all major rules. According to GAO, a major rule is:

…one that has resulted in or is likely to result in (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, federal, state, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, or innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets.

Thus, the REINS Act would make America’s elected representatives more accountable for federal regulations. Rules such as the Clean Power Plan, Waters of the United States, and ozone regulations would be subject to review by Congress, not left to the whim of unelected bureaucrats. The REINS Act would still allow agencies to perform their functions as delegated by Congress, but extends a necessary check on the rulemaking process. This is especially important as agencies like the EPA and Interior Department have imposed very controversial regulations that cost billions of dollars over with little benefits.

The Midnight Rules Relief Act would improve the CRA process by allowing for en bloc consideration of CRA bills. A CRA is a joint resolution of disapproval for specific major rules that would prohibit the rule from taking effect. It also bars agencies from promulgating a substantially similar rule in the future, unless Congress specifically authorizes it.

Under the current process, each individual regulation must have its own CRA, of which debate is limited to 10 hours. The Midnight Rules Act would appropriately streamline this process, allowing multiple rules to be included in one CRA bill.

The American Energy Alliance urges all Representatives to vote YES on both the REINS Act and the Midnight Rules Relief Act. Passage of these bills would send a strong message that the 115th Congress is serious about regulatory reform and turning a new page in American government.

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Filed Under: Blog, Press Releases Tagged With: , , , , ,
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