Issue Position: Energy

Issue Position

Values

Supports use of all sources of American energy in order to lower prices at the pump and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. A strong national energy policy is an essential component to a thriving economy and the creation of jobs. Coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, hydro-power, domestic oil, and biomass all may play a critical role in America's energy future. The United States possesses a tremendous amount of natural resources, and we must take full advantage of all options to unlock America's full potential.

Supports a four-point energy plan:

-Drill. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil means we must drill for our own domestic oil and natural gas.

-Dig. The United States has the largest coal reserves in the world. I support proposals that encourage the United States to tap into its abundant and affordable domestic energy resources, including coal.

-Discover. We can use our universities and think-tanks to find new energy sources and ways to use energy more efficiently.

-Deregulate. It is time for government to get out of the way and let private businesses use our domestic energy resources more freely.

Supports coal use and production. Coal is a vital component of the American economy, with nearly half of the nation's electricity being generated from it. We need to expand coal production and eliminate the harmful regulations that are killing the industry.

Committed to fighting the many excessive, misguided energy regulations being pushed by President Obama and the EPA. At a time when many Americans are being forced to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table, it is unacceptable for the federal government to hinder the use of coal and other domestic energy sources. Burdensome energy regulations have led to higher energy costs which put a strain on all Americans, particularly working families and those on fixed incomes. In addition, higher electric prices also make it more expensive to manufacture goods in America. When American goods are more expensive, they are less competitive in the global economy. The bottom line is that American jobs are at stake as a result of federal regulations on coal and other domestic energy resources.

Supports common sense policies that safeguard our ability to have clean air and clean water without jeopardizing thousands of jobs or burdening American families with unbearable energy costs.

Actions

Cosponsored H.R. 3140, Ensure Reliable and Affordable American Energy Act. This legislation would delay the implementation of new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations until other countries comprising at least 80 percent of non-U.S. global carbon dioxide emissions enact regulations that are at least as stringent as EPA's new standards.

Cosponsored H. J. Res. 64, a resolution of disapproval for the EPA's new Greenhouse Gas rule for power-generating facilities.

Voted to support H.R. 367, Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 (REINS Act), which would require Congress to approve of all major regulations that cost $50 million or more. Any regulation on carbon emissions would automatically be subject to congressional approval.

Cosponsored and voted to support H.R. 3, Northern Route Approval Act, which would clear the way for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline by removing the requirement for a Presidential permit.

Cosponsored H.R. 1782, Virginia Jobs and Energy Act, which would enable the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off the coast of Virginia to open for energy development.

Voted to support H.R. 2231, Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, which would direct the Secretary of the Interior to implement a leasing program that includes at least 50 percent of the available unleased acreage within each outer Continental Shelf (OCS) planning area considered to have the largest undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources, with an emphasis on offering the most geologically prospective parts of the planning area. [Note: Virginia would be in the first series of leases].

Cosponsored H.R. 1829, Coal Jobs Protection Act of 2013, to prevent the EPA from delaying Clean Water Act permits by restoring decision-making power to the states.

Cosponsored and voted to support the Electricity Security and Affordability Act (H.R. 3826), which would prohibit the EPA from establishing greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for new plants unless it establishes separate standards for natural gas and coal-fired plants. Additionally, the EPA can only issue standards for coal plants if over a one-year period emission standards have been proved feasible by at least 6 units located at different commercial power plants across the United States. Finally, H.R. 3826 prohibits the EPA from establishing GHG standards or guidelines for modified, reconstructed, or existing plants unless a federal law is enacted specifying the effective rule start date.

Voted to support the Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014 (H.R. 4899), which would expand American energy production by requiring the Administration to move forward with new offshore energy production, conduct lease sales that have been cancelled (including off of Virginia), and reform the leasing process for energy projects on federal lands to eliminate unnecessary delays.

Cosponsored the Ensure Reliable and Affordable American Energy Act of 2013 (H.R. 3140), which delays the implementation of EPA's greenhouse gas regulations until other countries comprising of at least 80 percent of non-U.S. global carbon dioxide emissions enact regulations that are at least as stringent as the EPA's new standards.

Voted to support the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act of 2013 (H.R. 1965), which combines several bills aimed at expanding onshore energy production, streamlining permitting processes, and reducing bureaucratic red tape. Among other provisions, H.R. 1965 would reform the leasing process for onshore oil and natural gas projects on federal lands to eliminate unnecessary delays and also require the Secretary of the Interior to develop a strategic action energy plan on responsible federal onshore energy development. This legislation would also increase energy production on federal lands in Alaska and modernize the bidding process for federal onshore oil and natural gas leases.

Cosponsored and voted to support the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act (H.R. 6), which would expedite exports of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Sponsored the EPA Maximum Achievable Contraction of Technocrats Act of 2013 (H.R. 3641), legislation that would force the EPA to reduce its workforce by 15 percent over three years.

Voted for the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs & More American Jobs Act (H.R. 2), a comprehensive energy bill that promotes a modern energy infrastructure, ensures access to affordable and reliable electricity, and supports the development of America's energy resources.

Member of the Congressional Coal Caucus and member of the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus.

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