Press Releases

Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1). This legislation will restore America’s energy independence and reduce costs by: increasing domestic energy production; cutting burdensome government red tape; and reforming the permitting process.

“Families in Virginia and across the Nation have been hit hard by the high fuel prices caused by the anti-energy policies of the Biden Administration,”  said Cline. “Joe Biden has waged war on our energy independence. That war ended today as House Republicans passed the Lower Energy Costs Act, which will work to put America back in the driver’s seat on domestic energy production so folks can keep more of their hard-earned paychecks.”

The Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) will cement into law key provisions to reduce costs and return America to energy independence:

1) Spurs responsible development of domestic energy and mineral resources.

2) Maximizes efficiency and minimizes delays for hardrock mining projects on federal land by extending existing permitting efficiencies to mineral development and limiting claims on mine projects to those filed within 120 days of a final agency action.

3) Modernizes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to further energy and infrastructure development without sacrificing environmental standards or public involvement.

4) Reverses anti-energy policies advanced by the Biden Administration.

5) Streamlines energy exports.

For a section-by-section summary of the bill, click here.

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

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