Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted By the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to ``Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions''

Floor Speech

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Mr. BEGICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 35, which repeals the Biden administration's natural gas tax, a misguided policy that drives up costs, stifles investment, and weakens our energy security. This so-called waste emissions charge won't reduce methane emissions, but it will punish American producers, increase reliance on foreign energy, and make life more expensive for America's working families.

While some claim this tax does not directly impact my home State of Alaska, what is bad for American energy is bad for Alaskan energy. Alaska holds over 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and the Alaska LNG project is our best chance to bring it to market. Yet, burdensome Federal regulations discourage investment, keeping Alaska's energy potential locked away.

Meanwhile, Cook Inlet gas supplies are declining, threatening Alaskans in south central Alaska with higher heating and electricity costs. If we want long-term energy security, we must develop our resources.

Mr. Speaker, every job is an energy job because energy powers everything that we do. Supporting American energy production means creating good-paying jobs in oil and gas, construction, transportation, manufacturing, and small businesses that rely on affordable energy. The Alaska LNG project alone would generate thousands of jobs, strengthening our economy and supply chains. If we want to grow opportunity for working families, we must stand with American energy and repeal the natural gas tax.

Let's be clear: Opponents of this bill are spreading falsehoods. They claim this tax will cut emissions, but the U.S. already leads the world in methane reduction, cutting emissions intensity by 42 percent since 2015. They say this is about Big Oil, but 90 percent of U.S. natural gas comes from small and midsize producers. They claim only gas producers are affected, but the Biden administration designed this rule to also hit oil producers.

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Mr. BEGICH. Mr. Speaker, they argue this tax protects energy security, yet it increases reliance on foreign adversaries.

If we are serious about energy security, affordability, and economic growth, we must repeal the natural gas tax. H.J. Res. 35 is a commonsense step toward a stronger energy future. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

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