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REAMS REPORT
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
For years, I have talked about the importance of having Republicans at the negotiating table to create strong, durable climate policy. CRES has worked tirelessly to ensure Republicans are not only at that table, but they are prepared with uniquely conservative solutions so a competition of ideas can ensue with their Democratic colleagues.
As the 118th Congress gets underway, I am pleased by House Republican leadership working to advance a clean and reliable domestic energy agenda. Republicans are focused on solutions for the American people and are ready to legislate.
Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will convene its first joint hearing, “Unleashing American Energy.” Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Subcommittee Chairs Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) and Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) issued a statement announcing the hearing that climate advocates should cheer:
“A key responsibility for Energy and Commerce is to help pave the way to unleashing American energy sources and technologies of all kinds—from hydropower, nuclear, fossil energy, hydrogen, to wind, solar, and batteries. Republicans believe that every energy technology and source has a role to play, and our solutions, which are both energy and climate solutions, reflect that. We look forward to our first legislative hearing this Congress to discuss how to lower costs, strengthen our supply chains, reduce emissions, and restore American energy dominance.”
Later this evening, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union address and is sure to highlight his climate and energy wins. However, at best, the President has sent a host of mixed signals that frustrate private industry and undermine free markets. Examples include cutting domestic energy producers’ ability to meet consumer demands while asking for more production; pushing for more green and clean tech while shutting down domestic mining for critical minerals necessary to produce such tech; maintaining government red tape and barriers for energy sourcing and producing while championing and signing into law a historical clean tax credit and grants program constrained by those very barriers.
Instead of taking a victory lap, it is my hope that the President will take Republicans at their word and invite them to work with him and his Administration to do exactly what the leaders in the House Energy and Committee seek to do in today’s hearing: cut energy costs, not energy choices; export American innovation, not American jobs; reduce our emissions, not our economy; and restore our energy dominance.
Sincerely,
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Heather Reams
CRES President
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WHAT CRES IS HEARING
“Foundational to every aspect of our lives, whether it’s making energy more affordable and reliable, securing our supply chains, beating China, protecting the environment, addressing climate change, or putting energy security back at the center of policymaking,”
“We can’t just take what sounds good in town halls in wealthier coastal or metropolitan areas and insist that folks in less wealthy, more rural areas just jump in line and do it as well. If we want viable, sustainable energy solutions that make all Americans secure, that appreciates the diversity of our landscapes, and doesn’t rely on premature, aspirational technologies or the availability of mineral supplies from foreign countries being available; then it’s time to turn the page on the current, national energy strategy, or lack thereof. Particularly since it’s one that makes us more dependent on nations that hate us.”
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Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Minerals
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WHAT CRES IS SAYING
“President Biden and his administration claim to acknowledge the critical importance of strengthening our domestic mineral supply chains, but their actions speak louder than words...This misguided action will not only decimate northern Minnesota’s economy and eliminate good-paying jobs supported by the mining industry, but it will increase the United States’ dependence on slave and child labor in countries around the world that do not prioritize environmental protections like we do. We need to mine in the U.S. – not undermine our energy and national security.”
“The United States is among the most environmentally friendly and carbon-efficient producers in the world, and this bill highlights the value of U.S. energy production over dirtier production by adversarial nations like Russia and Venezuela.”
“The formation of the [China Select] Committee is welcome news not only for national security hawks, but for those interested in American clean energy leadership and global emissions reduction… the China Select Committee will investigate and shape policy to end the Chinese Communist Party’s critical mineral supply chain domination that puts both American energy and national security at risk".
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CRES Forum hosted the first panel in a series titled, “Harnessing American Innovation,” highlighting how U.S. tech & innovation is leading to lower industrial emissions. The event was attended by clean energy advocates, business leaders, and congressional staff. It was moderated by Abigail Regitsky, Senior Manager of U.S. Policy and Advocacy at Breakthrough Energy. The panel consisted of Erik Oswald, Vice President, Advocacy and Policy Development, ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions; Jordan Kearns, Vice President of Project Development at Antora Energy; and Colleen Moss, Senior Director of Government Relations at Clearpath.
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At January’s C6WC event for Capitol Hill communicators, CRES Forum hosted House staff to hear from committee leadership on ways to communicate clean energy and climate priorities in the new Republican majority. Rebekah Hoshiko, Communications Director for the House Natural Resources Committee, and Heather Vaughan, Senior Advisor of Strategy & Director of Communications for the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to share their respective committee’s goals and energy messaging strategy for the 118th Congress.
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CRES is a proud supporter and member of the Conservative Climate Foundation, which hosted its new member reception last week. CRES President Heather Reams was joined by Conservative Climate Caucus members, including Chairman John Curtis (R-Utah), to celebrate the start of the new Congress and the growing Caucus.
ICYMI: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) was named Vice Chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus. Read more here.
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