NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on H.R. 26, the Protecting American Energy Production Act. This legislation provides the sense of Congress that states shall retain primacy over the regulation of hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas production (fracking), and also prohibits the president from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing unless such moratorium is authorized by an act of Congress.
President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Unleashing American Energy,” states that it is in the national interest to unleash America’s energy and natural resources, and that doing so will restore American prosperity for those men and women who have been forgotten by our economy in recent years. His order refers to the importance of ensuring that regulatory requirements related to energy are grounded in clearly applicable law, and safeguarding the freedom of Americans to choose from a variety of goods.
H.R. 26, the Protecting American Energy Production Act, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), reflects that executive order. Fracking has allowed U.S. national gas production to skyrocket and transformed the United States into the world’s largest exporter of natural gas.
By preventing the imposition of a moratorium on fracking unless approved by Congress, H.R. 26 would reaffirm the powers given to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, safeguard the freedom of Americans to choose between sources of energy, and promote American energy dominance.
Roll call votes on H.R. 26 will be included in NTU’s annual rating of Congress and a “YES” vote will be considered the pro-taxpayer position by recognizing congressional authority over executive actions such as a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.