Articles

By Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11) and Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)

In the opening weeks of the 119th Congress and the second Trump administration, Republicans are taking immediate action to put America back on the path to prosperity and energy dominance. And we have a message to the anti-American energy activists: the era of surrendering to impractical and destructive climate agendas is over.

Leading this charge is Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman August Pfluger’s Protecting American Energy Production Act, which would prevent unilateral executive bans on fracking and protect state authority over its regulation. This bill acknowledges a simple truth: American energy independence isn’t just good policy–it’s essential for our future. In the House, it’s already generated votes from both sides of the aisle, and we urge our Senate colleagues to move swiftly to advance this crucial legislation.

The numbers tell the story. The shale revolution, powered by fracking, has transformed our energy landscape. American families save $2,500 annually through lower natural gas and electricity prices, while our national greenhouse gas emissions have plummeted by 527 million metric tons yearly. That's not just economic theory – it’s real money in Americans’ pockets and real progress on emissions reduction without sacrificing our energy security. In fact, revenues from Utica shale leases have bolstered Central and Southeastern Ohio’s economy by nearly $1 billion, and directly funds massive improvements in the region’s wastewater infrastructure, conservation, and outdoor recreation.   

Much of this production comes from vital regions like the Permian Basin in Texas and the Utica and Marcellus shale formations in Ohio. These aren’t just geological features on a map–they’re the backbone of American energy independence. With surging energy demands from AI data centers and expanding global markets, maintaining and expanding this production isn’t optional–it’s imperative. That’s why Chairman Pfluger and I also introduced H.Res. 57, which affirms the benefits of clean and affordable U.S. natural gas

In my role as Chairman of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT), we’re pursuing a comprehensive strategy to secure America’s energy future. Our agenda focuses on three critical priorities: First, strengthening our power grid to prevent the devastating blackouts we’ve seen in states that have mismanaged their energy systems. Second, dismantling the byzantine regulatory maze that turns simple permit approvals into years-long ordeals. Third, we must ensure that we maximize domestic energy production and maintain the baseload capacity necessary to meet surging demand and power our economy..

Let’s be clear: energy security is national security. President Biden’s policies sent gas and household energy prices soaring, left our European allies scrambling for energy sources, and handed unnecessary advantages to competitors like China and Iran. We’re charting a different course. Instead of pouring billions into speculative climate projects, we’re focusing on practical solutions that leverage our abundant domestic resources. This isn’t just about American energy independence–it’s about providing our allies with reliable access to clean American energy and reducing their dependence on less stable suppliers.

The path to energy independence–and energy dominance–lies right beneath our feet. Our European allies are eager for access to American LNG. Our manufacturing sector needs reliable, affordable energy to remain competitive. And our national security demands that we control our energy destiny. 

The choice is clear: we can continue down the path of regulatory obstruction and energy dependence, or we can embrace our potential as an energy superpower. The 119th Congress is choosing the latter. It’s time to stop talking and start drilling.