Hickenlooper: “Let’s call this political theater [out] for what it is: an attempt to accelerate oil and gas projects while at the same time, holding back our renewable energy.”
U.S. energy production exceeded consumption by widest margin in U.S. history in 2023
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor against the Trump administration’s claim that the U.S. faces a “national energy emergency.” He highlighted that an “all of the above” approach to energy, including historic investments in renewable energy from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, have created a U.S. energy boom and lowered energy costs for working families.
Hickenlooper’s speech comes ahead of a Senate vote on a resolution to overturn President Trump’s energy emergency declaration.
“America’s energy economy is booming in large part because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act – bills that make historic investments in American-made energy. These bills have created more than 400,000 good-paying jobs.
“Cutting funding from these critical pieces of legislation is going to hit our rural communities the hardest – where it could provide the greatest benefit. It’ll shrink county government revenue. It will force layoffs, and ultimately it will increase the cost of energy.
President Trump issued an executive order on January 20th declaring a “National Energy Emergency” claiming that “the policies of the previous administration have driven our Nation into a national emergency where a precariously inadequate and intermittent energy supply, and an increasingly unreliable grid, require swift and decisive action.”
The president’s claim contradicts widespread evidence that U.S. energy production continues to surpass consumption. Excluding coal, the U.S. produced more energy in 2023 than any other country in the world.
Last week, Hickenlooper introduced an amendment to the Republican budget resolution protecting the low cost of energy by blocking Republican-led attempts to slow renewable energy development. Every Republican voted against it. Watch his speech in support of his amendment HERE. To download a full video of Hickenlooper’s remarks, click HERE. A full transcript of his remarks is available below:
“Mr. President,
“The United States is in an energy boom. Our nation has never produced more electricity, oil, and gas than we are producing right now.
“This ‘all the above’ approach to energy using everything – including solar, wind, and geothermal – is keeping energy prices as low as possible for working families – but at the same time recognizing that climate change is real – and moving towards a clean energy future. Excluding coal, the U.S. produced more energy than any other country in the history of the world in 2023.
“It appears that some in this administration are determined to undo that progress.
“Despite American leadership in energy, the President signed an executive order on his first day declaring a ‘national energy emergency.’
“That sounds dramatic and almost theatrical, because it’s meant to be. Let’s call this political theater for what it is: an attempt to accelerate oil and gas projects while at the same time, holding back our renewable energy.
“Of course, there are things that we need to be doing to keep energy cleaner, prices lower, and to cement American energy independence.
“For starters, we need to increase energy production. We need to meet our energy future by streamlining permitting of our new energy projects – of all our energy projects – while at the same time being mindful about the environmental impacts and giving impacted communities a public forum. We need to upgrade our grid. We need to increase clean domestic critical mineral production.
“But that’s not what his executive order will do. In fact, it won’t do a single one of these things.
“They claim we’re in an emergency, an ‘energy emergency.’ But they continue to block federal wind and energy permits.
“They claim we’re in an emergency, an ‘energy emergency.’ But then they ship oil and gas overseas.
“They [claim we’re in] an ‘energy emergency,’ and yet their actions would cede complete control of what eventually will be an enormous global market in renewable energy to China.
“The administration has also fired thousands of government workers who play vital roles in American energy – all in the name of government efficiency and giving tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy.
“Listen, I’m all for making government more efficient. I’ve worked on that most of my public life. If you want to seriously look at how we spend money and where we can actually cut fraud, waste, and abuse – I’m game. But hastily, almost randomly firing Department of Energy employees or letting go 300 workers who maintain our nuclear security and safety, I don’t think that’s the way to do it.
“Our office has even heard from a private company that is worried that the federal employee responsible for managing their permitting process is about to be fired, placing the entire success of their project at risk. They help bring energy to our local communities. This will stop them dead in their tracks and raise prices for households at the same time.
“America’s energy economy is booming in large part because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act – bills that make historic investments in American-made energy. These bills have created more than 400,000 good-paying jobs.
“And yet, there’s an effort by some in the Congress, mostly Republicans, I should say all Republicans, and the administration, but that effort is to slash and impede the progress that we’ve made. Even though an estimated 70% of the benefits – the jobs, the investments, the increased energy – are going to red states.
“Cutting funding from these critical pieces of legislation is going to hit our rural communities the hardest – where it could provide the greatest benefit. It’ll shrink county government revenue. It will force layoffs, and ultimately it will increase the cost of energy.
“Clean energy isn’t just some liberal boogeyman, it’s not some notion. In fact, most of the energy that’s ready to go as we expand our capacity, that’s ready to go, is clean and affordable. Solar, wind, storage, they make up 95% of the capacity of new energy ready to connect to our grid. Wind generates 10% of our electricity now and will provide much more affordable, renewable energy if more permits were made available.
“Withholding funds already appropriated by Congress through these laws – if these funds are withheld, energy bills can balloon by up to 12% for American families. That’s at least $240/year for working families that they’ll have to come up with one way or another. And certainly, when you’re struggling to afford eggs at the grocery store, trying to balance your checkbook at the end of the month, the last thing you need is an increase in your energy bill.
“Some in Congress, some Republicans have introduced their budget which strips critical services for Coloradans, while adding four trillion dollars to our national debt. All primarily so they can give tax breaks of which more than half go to the ultra-wealthy, who at least many in Colorado don’t even want.
“I put an amendment on the floor that would strip any provision from their budget that would raise energy costs for Americans. Now, how can people be opposed to that?
“And yet every Republican voted against it.
“I think they’re putting politics over people.
“We’re able to keep energy prices low for working families because we use everything – oil, gas, geothermal, wind. So rather than limiting energy sources, proclaiming a false emergency, or firing critical government employees, let’s meet the moment and usher in a new energy future that helps everyone.
“A future marked by a resilient energy grid built by American innovation that delivers low-cost, reliable energy for every Coloradan, for every American.
“If this administration is looking for a bipartisan roadmap on this, we have one.
“We should pass permitting reform that streamlines review for ALL energy projects, not just oil and gas. We can build a modern electric grid that will reduce energy prices – for all.
“Let’s continue supporting emerging technologies like advanced geothermal and nuclear so that we can remain dominant in the markets that are emerging.
“And let’s stop picking winners and losers! The vast majority of new electricity is coming from low-cost solar, wind, and energy storage. Let’s follow the law and let the investments in energy from the past few years go to the communities that need them.
“Let’s cut the nonsense: this isn’t an energy emergency. It’s an energy opportunity.
“This administration’s actions certainly would cause an emergency for many Colorado and American working families.
“Mr. President, I yield back the floor.”
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