In a recent speech on the House floor, Rep. French Hill expressed his concerns about the energy policies under the Biden administration. Touching on various aspects, he shared the importance of American energy independence, criticized recent decisions regarding liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, and highlighted the need for a diverse energy strategy. Here’s the full story.
The Criticism
Rep. French Hill began by acknowledging the United States’ opportunity to become the world’s largest LNG exporter, attributing this success to technological advancements.
However, he criticized President Biden’s recent decision to halt the exploration of American LNG, saying that it went against the interests of American workers, the economy, national security, and the global clean energy transition. Rep. Hill connected this decision to a series of other energy policies by the Biden administration that he deemed detrimental.
The Biden Administration’s Energy Policy
The congressman from Arkansas pointed out various actions taken by President Biden, such as shutting down the Keystone XL pipeline on day one, denying new permits, and discouraging new drilling and pipelines.
He mentioned the coercion of banks and securities firms to discourage loans and capital investments in the energy industry through environmental, social, and governance policies. Rep. Hill argued that these decisions had weakened the global leadership of the United States and its energy independence.
The Need for Natural Gas Infrastructure
Rep. Hill shared the importance of investing in natural gas infrastructure, both upstream and downstream, to tap into America’s abundance of natural resources.
He countered the argument that such investments were stranded assets, pointing to projections that indicated a significant increase in global energy use by 2050. Despite the growth of renewables, Rep. Hill argued that 80% of energy consumption would still rely on coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear, necessitating a diversified approach to energy sources.
Investing in Natural Gas Fields
The congressman stressed the need for the United States to export more LNG to Europe to help offset dependency on a single supply source, citing the example of Germany’s reliance on Russian natural gas.
He underlined the importance of investing in natural gas fields across the nation, especially in states like Pennsylvania and New York, which could rival those in the Middle East. Rep. Hill also shared skepticism about new pipelines being built under the current administration.
Call for International Financial Support
Drawing historical parallels, Rep. Hill highlighted the importance of international partnerships and cooperation. He referenced the American Revolution, where Allied Nations supported the Colonial Americans against the British Empire. The congressman added that the United States must now support nations like Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, with a sense of partnership and shared values in the fight for freedom.
Rep. Hill called for the Biden administration to work towards ensuring that international financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, finance natural gas projects and nuclear power.
Reluctance to Support
He criticized their reluctance to support these projects, particularly nuclear. Rep. Hill argued that an all-of-the-above energy strategy was essential for meeting global energy needs.
Concluding, Rep. Hill repeated that energy policy was a long-term investment in the needs of the globe’s future. He warned that President Biden’s current decisions and policies would hinder the country’s energy capacity and make the transition to a clean energy future more challenging and costly.
So what are your thoughts? Given the concerns raised by Rep. French Hill about energy policies and the need for international partnerships, how do you think a diversified energy strategy can be balanced with environmental sustainability?
