Crapo, Risch, Lummis Reintroduce Legislation Defending American Energy and Mining Industries

Washintgon, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) joined Chair of the Senate Western Caucus Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyomin), along with 14 of their colleagues, to reintroduce the Protecting Our Wealth of Energy Resources (POWER) Act to prohibit the president or his secretaries of the U.S Departments of Interior, Agriculture or Energy from blocking energy or mineral leasing and permitting on federal lands and waters without Congressional approval.

“In a time of a growing domestic energy crisis, it is imperative we protect mineral and energy leasing on federal lands.  Idaho’s vast natural and mineral resources provide high-paying, quality jobs across the state and help foster a more secure supply chain as America strives for stronger energy and technology independence,” said Crapo.

“The President took aim at domestic energy production only hours after swearing the oath of office, and to put more salt in the wound, he sold off America’s oil reserves to pay for his self-made crisis.  His actions have threatened our national security, killed high-paying jobs, and caused energy prices to skyrocket.  We have vast natural resources here at home, and we need to use them.  The POWER Act will prohibit the executive branch from ever unilaterally stifling American energy production again,” said Risch.

 “Wyoming can power the nation, and the U.S. can power the world. President Biden’s executive orders and administrative actions taking aim at energy and mineral development on public lands hurt our economy, communities across the west and the environment by forcing our nation to rely on countries with lower environmental standards for importing energy,”  said Lummis.  “We have borne witness to the negative impacts of these policies through record high gas prices and increased prices on goods and services we rely on every day. Not to mention, these efforts are illegal.  It is time for Congress to take back its authority and to unleash American energy and mineral potential.”

“Mining across the nation provides innumerable benefits to all Americans,” Idaho Mining Association Executive Director Benjamin Davenport said.  “Securing our domestic mineral supply chains are critical to protecting quality jobs for men and women across the nation, as well as defending the resources that facilitate our everyday way of life.  We thank Idaho’s Senators for their continued support of the mining industry as we work to avoid these disastrous policies that limit access to our necessary resources.”

Sensators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Shelly Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Hoeven (R-South Dakota), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) also co-sponsored the legislation.

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