Protecting American Energy Production Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATTA. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 26, the Protecting American Energy Production Act, to prevent a ban on the use of hydraulic fracturing.

The shale revolution has unleashed American innovation, specifically hydraulic fracturing, and has led to the U.S. becoming an energy superpower, stabilizing global markets and lowering prices for consumers, farmers, and manufacturers.

In 2019, economists estimated this productivity reduced the domestic price of natural gas by 63 percent and led to a 45 percent decrease in the wholesale price of electricity. This resulted in an estimated savings of $203 billion annually for American consumers.

Unfortunately, some States have implemented misguided policies to ban or limit the use of fracking. It is imperative we protect this technology from weaponization, especially as global energy demand is projected to skyrocket.

Additionally, natural gas will be essential to ensuring our ability to meet the massive energy demand from the data centers coming online and lead the world in artificial intelligence development. More American energy means a safer, cleaner, and more advanced world.

In the last Congress, I asked every witness who came before us in the Committee on Energy and Commerce's Energy Subcommittee if we needed more energy or less, and every one of them said that we have to have more energy.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas' 11th District for his leadership. I ask my colleagues to support this legislation. I thank my friend, the chairman, for yielding the time.

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