Barrett Hosts Energy Roundtable to Highlight Work to Expand Energy Production, Lower Costs
Lansing, Mich. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) on Monday joined leaders from Michigan’s energy industry for a roundtable conversation to highlight his work and discuss additional solutions to increase domestic energy production and lower costs for Michigan families.
Barrett voted to spur American energy dominance in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act last year, and he has long championed policies to promote competition and encourage production of affordable, reliable energy.
“The pain at the pump is real for all of the families like mine that are crisscrossing mid-Michigan to get from school to soccer practice and everywhere in between,” said Congressman Barrett. “In Congress, I’ve proudly led the charge to increase American energy production and strengthen competition in the market by advocating for permitting reform and rolling back burdensome regulations that have driven costs through the roof. It’s going to take all of us working together with the private sector to bring down energy prices, and I hope Democrats in Lansing can set aside their Green New Deal Mandates to join me in that effort.”
Under a state law passed in 2023 by Democrats along party lines, Michigan will require electricity production to use 100% green energy sources by 2040. Due to the cost of building the wind turbines and solar farms necessary to comply with the mandate, electric rates in Michigan are projected to double. Electric rates in the state are already the highest in the Midwest.
“Michigan’s oil and natural gas industry plays a critical role in powering millions of homes and businesses, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and strengthening the state’s economy,” said Chris Zeigler of the American Petroleum Institute, who spoke at the roundtable. “Modern, predictable permitting processes are essential to helping advance critical energy infrastructure projects and improve access to reliable, affordable American energy, and we applaud Congressman Barrett for his leadership on energy issues.”
Background:
The Working Families Tax Cuts Act (H.R. 1) boosted American energy production by authorizing new oil and gas leases and undoing red tape imposed during the Biden administration. The historic law removed subsidies and carveouts for special interests, providing a level playing field to allow companies producing oil, natural gas, wind, solar, nuclear, or other energy sources to compete, innovate, and provide more efficient, affordable energy.
At a time when the ongoing Iran conflict has throttled the worldwide energy market, Barrett has voted three times to end the conflict unless the people’s representatives in Congress provide clear authorization for military force in the region.
Barrett and his colleagues in Michigan’s congressional delegation also spearheaded a bipartisan effort in support of reopening the Palisades nuclear power plant. Barrett has also supported bipartisan permitting reform legislation to streamline bureaucracy and expedite federal environmental review of projects to protect health and safety without unnecessary delays.
