The Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R.1), proposed by House Republicans as their priority energy package, seeks to accelerate the approval process for energy projects and bolster oil, gas and mining industries. Despite support from some House Republicans, the bill faces opposition from Democrats in the Senate and president Biden due to its lack of provisions aimed at restricting offshore energy projects off the coast of Florida. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and other Florida colleagues have drafted amendments to address this, while Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La. ) has asserted that the bill already contains language regarding the offshore drilling issue. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla. ) has requested "more assurance" that his amendment to ban drilling off Florida's coast would be taken up. On the other hand, bipartisan negotiations have been ongoing in regards to speeding up energy and infrastructure projects, including some of the Republican ideas in H.R. 1. President Biden has also expressed his "strong inclination" to reject the Willow Project, an oil project in Alaska, due to the legal ramifications. Additionally, the Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif. ) issued an executive order to modify the state's emergency drought proclamation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has extended its timeline for a decision on a proposed Great Lakes oil pipeline tunnel that is opposed by Native groups and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) (S.W. ) The Lower Energy Costs Act still faces significant opposition and is unlikely to be passed despite these developments.
POLITICS
VERN BUCHANAN
ALASKA