American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2, the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act.

New technology has fueled a 21st century energy boom, but Americans are still paying way too much for everyday expenses like gas, groceries, and electricity. That is why the House has passed dozens of bills to lower energy costs and create jobs, like a bill that I introduced--and passed--called the Bureau of Reclamation Conduit Hydropower Development Equity and Jobs Act.

It passed unanimously last year. This is commonsense legislation. It would expand hydropower production in a number of Western States. It creates jobs while lowering electric prices for thousands of families.

Whether it is from approving the Keystone XL pipeline to stopping these out-of-touch regulations on our coal industry, the House is fighting to protect and grow American energy and the jobs it supports.

In fact, in Montana alone, more than 5,000 jobs depend on coal, and thousands of middle class families rely on coal-fired power for an affordable source of energy. Fifty-one percent of the electric supply in Montana comes from coal.

Construction of the Keystone pipeline will not only create thousands of good jobs, it is going to help keep energy prices low for Montana families. Let me tell you why.

I was out traveling in eastern Montana in my pickup. I visited the NorVal Electric Co-op in Glasgow, Montana. It will provide power for a future Keystone pump station on the pipeline.

If Keystone is built, NorVal will be able to keep their consumers' electric rates flat for the next 10 years, but, if it isn't, they expect that rates will grow upwards of 40 percent for those ratepayers over the course of the next decade.

These are hardworking Montana families, many of them living paycheck to paycheck, many on fixed incomes, that we will help with the Keystone pipeline.

Unfortunately, tomorrow marks the 6-year anniversary from the time the first permit to build the Keystone pipeline was filed. It took the Canadians 7 months to approve it. We are now at 6 years and waiting with this President.

The American people have waited far too long. That is why the House has passed legislation to approve its construction, but the Senate refuses to act. It is time for the Senate and the President to join us in fighting for solutions to create jobs, lower energy costs, and protect middle class American families.

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