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Thune: Restoring Energy Dominance Will Require an All-of-the-Above Approach

β€œ[I]f we want to restore our energy dominance, we have to start saying β€˜yes’ to American energy.”

January 29, 2025

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, over the last four years the Biden administration set our energy security on a dangerous path.

“Administration policies created serious uncertainty for energy producers.

“The administration sharply restricted oil and gas development.

“New government regulations threatened to close existing power plants – even as our electric grid struggled to keep up with demand.

“The president attempted to force the widespread adoption of electric cars – again, despite the incredible strain that would place on our already shaky power grid.

“And the list goes on.

“Mr. President, a recent report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation warns of, and I quote, ‘mounting resource adequacy challenges’ in the next decade.

“One reason is the retirement of conventional energy generators – in some cases because of regulation.

“Another is increased demand – like increasing demand for electricity being driven by artificial intelligence data centers.

“It takes roughly 10 times as much electricity to run a ChatGPT query as it takes to run a Google search.

“Think about that.

“Imagine the energy demands of AI at scale.

“Anyone who thinks we can be on the leading edge in new technology with less – or less reliable – energy should think again.

“We need more energy, and the good news is: we have it.

“In fact, we have the resources to be energy dominant.

“But we need to start saying ‘yes’ to American energy.

“Mr. President, on his first day in office, President Trump took the first steps toward restoring American energy dominance.

“He declared a national energy emergency, which will allow him to cut through some of the red tape that stifles energy production as we continue to work toward broader regulatory relief.

“He also reversed the Biden administration’s pause on new exports of liquefied natural gas – a decision that threatened American jobs and left our allies looking elsewhere for their energy.

“President Trump also reopened parts of Alaska to energy development that the Biden administration had previously closed off.

“He spared the American people from the Biden electric vehicle mandate.

“And he put the brakes on spending from the Democrats’ so-called Inflation Reduction Act – in reality a climate bill whose actual cost has skyrocketed since it passed.

“Mr. President, energy is an asset.

“And producing our own energy means we don’t have to rely on other nations for a critical resource – including countries that don’t share our values.

“Energy dominance is a deterrent to our adversaries.

“And it’s literally the engine of our economy.

“But if we want to restore our energy dominance, we have to start saying ‘yes’ to American energy.

“‘Yes’ to an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes everything from oil and gas to hydropower and biofuels – everything.

“We need all of it.

“Mr. President, I’ve come to the floor many times to discuss the negative effects of burdensome regulations.

“And for the last four years the EPA has put forward some of the Biden administration’s most harmful regulations.

“There was the WOTUS rule that would have been a disaster for farmers and ranchers.

“The Good Neighbor rule that would have shuttered power plants in several of our states.

“The Clean Power Plan 2.0, which would have jeopardized our future energy security.

“Overly strict emissions rules for vehicles that would have forced Americans into electric vehicles that they don’t want – and, in most cases, can’t afford.

“Costly standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks that would have harmed small trucking operations.

“The list, Mr. President, goes on.

“Regulations like these – drawn-up in Washington, D.C. – have real-world impacts.

“And I’m pleased that President Trump is committed to giving Americans relief from excessive regulations, and that his EPA nominee will help him implement that vision.

“Lee Zeldin, whose nomination we will vote on later today, is a former four-term congressman representing a district almost completely surrounded by water.

“He understands the stakes of environmental protection.

“His record in Congress speaks to this.

“But Mr. Zeldin also recognizes that the EPA can’t be a hammer in search of nails – and that EPA rules have to be balanced with the needs of our economy, our national security, and the American people.

“He also understands the importance of collaboration with stakeholders – something that was too often lacking in the Biden administration.

“I know farmers and ranchers in my state would have appreciated a seat at the table before the Biden administration resurrected the harmful WOTUS rule.

“And I’m pleased that Mr. Zeldin is focused on bringing a collaborative approach to the EPA.

“Mr. President, I’m also grateful that Mr. Zeldin committed to timely release of the renewable volume obligations, as is required by the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“In years past, the Biden EPA has been late in releasing its renewable volume obligations, which were often below industry production levels – creating instability for producers.

“Biofuels are an important asset in America’s energy portfolio.

“So I’m pleased that Mr. Zeldin will ensure that biofuel producers have the certainty that has been lacking in recent years.

“And I’m encouraged that Mr. Zeldin is willing to work with Congress on President Trump’s promise of year-round E15 sales.

“Restoring energy dominance will require an all-of-the-above approach.

“It will require a smarter approach from regulators.

“And I look forward to working with Mr. Zeldin in carrying out this important work.”