House should support the Protecting American Energy Production Act

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This week the House of Representatives is expected to consider the Protecting American Energy Production Act (H.R. 26), which was introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX). The bill would prohibit the President from unilaterally blocking the use of hydraulic fracturing.

Hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) is the process of breaking rock to extract oil or natural gas and is critical for the production of these resources. Oil and natural gas are essential to meeting domestic energy demand. Fracking accounts for about half of US crude oil production and about two thirds of natural gas production and has been a driving force in making the US far more energy independent. Natural gas is the source of 43 percent of American electricity generation, and it heats more than 50 percent of homes directly. A disruption to hydraulic fracturing would severely limit our production of both oil and natural gas which would spell uncertainty and severe reductions in energy supplies, ultimately raising prices for consumers.

The bill language states that, “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President may not declare a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing unless such moratorium is authorized by an Act of Congress.” A decision that would disrupt such a significant portion of American energy should be rightly required to go through Congress. The threat of a Presidential moratorium on hydraulic fracturing production adds a layer of uncertainty that’s harmful and unnecessary. A moratorium itself would certainly be far worse, with far-reaching economic effects.

The bill also emphasizes that states should play the lead role when it comes to the regulation of fracking, stating that it is “the sense of Congress that States should maintain primacy for the regulation of hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas production on State and private lands.”

Rep. Plfuger’s legislation is critical for ensuring our energy future. It highlights that this is primarily a state issue, but that if the federal government should play a role that it should be left to Congress to decide. Ultimately this bill supports continued American energy production and will allow producers to make business decisions with increased confidence.