WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) voted for H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. Congressman Valadao’s legislation, the Determination of NEPA Adequacy Streamlining Act, was included as part of the final package.

“Central Valley families have seen gas prices skyrocket and monthly energy bills double under the Biden Administration’s regulatory assault on American energy production,” said Congressman Valadao. “The United States has some of the greatest energy resources in the entire world. We should be utilizing these resources to create jobs, strengthen our national security, and lower prices for Valley residents. I’m pleased that my bill was included in this package – which will cut red tape and speed up the approval of new energy production projects. I was proud to join my colleagues today to pass the Lower Energy Costs Act.”

Earlier this week, Congressman Valadao spoke in support of the Lower Energy Costs Act during floor debate. Watch his full remarks here. 

Background:

The Lower Energy Cost Act was introduced by House Majority Steven Scalise earlier this month. The legislation focuses on accomplishing two key goals – unleashing American energy independence and reforming the current energy permitting process.

The bill accomplished these goals through 5 common sense proposals:

1.  Increasing domestic energy production

2.  Reforming the permitting process for all industries

3.  Reversing anti-energy policies advanced by the Biden Administration

4.  Streamlining energy infrastructure and exports

5.  Boosting the production and processing of critical minerals

You can read the full text of H.R. 1 here.

A section-by-section summary of the bill can be found here.

Congressman Valadao has been a vocal supporter of increasing American energy production, particularly after last year’s drastic rise in California gas prices and the recent increases in energy bills for residents in the Central valley.

·   Earlier this year, Congressman Valadao introduced the Determination of NEPA Adequacy Streamlining Act which would allow the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to use previously conducted Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the approval of projects with similar environmental impacts.

·   This month, Congressman Valadao joined his California Republican colleagues in a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom urging him to reverse his administration’s energy policies and allow producers across the state to operate at full capacity. 

·   Last week, Congressman Valadao questioned the Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young about the President’s proposal to end certain tax deductions for independent energy producers and highlighted its impact on oil producers in Kern County.

·   In the summer of 2022, Congressman Valadao sent a letter to Governor Newsom expressing concern over the federal moratorium on energy development in the Central Valley.

·   In 2022, Congressman Valadao held a press conference with House Republican leadership to highlight the impact of rising energy costs on Valley families.

Last year, Congressman Valadao voted to stop non-emergency draw downs of the Strategic Petroleum Reserves and called on the Biden Administration to increase domestic energy production to refill the depleted reserves. 

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