What does energy independence mean?

- As Pennsylvanians struggle with inflation and escalated costs, the solution is to support and unleash domestic energy production, not limit it.
- Good-paying jobs right here in Pennsylvania.
- Eliminating the need to import and rely upon the fluctuating global markets/ supply-chain disruptions.
- Protecting our nation’s security by meeting our own energy needs.
- Lower energy prices.
- Increased economic development across the Commonwealth.
- Providing affordable and reliable energy to every household.
- The burning of cleaner fuels and natural gas.
- Improving our economy, creating jobs, and helping Pennsylvanians struggling to pay for energy.

Pennsylvania is rich in resources that can bring energy independence back to our nation. Once an energy independent nation, America’s energy independence has been sidelined by actions to end the use of coal, oil and natural gas without a plan to replace these resources. We have the means to be energy independent and provide enough resources to meet our allies’ natural gas production and transmission needs.

An investment in these resources is an investment in America, House Republicans have advanced several bills, with bipartisan support, to expand Pennsylvania’s energy production and independence.

Act 96 of 2022 (formerly House Bill 2644, Rep. Martin Causer, R-McKean/Cameron/Potter): Establishes the Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation and Restoration Program to allocate federal infrastructure funding to address abandoned oil and gas wells. (6/20/22 passed House, 109-91, 7/7/22 passed Senate, 29-21, 7/7/11 House concurred in Senate amendments, 115-85, 7/19/22 became law without governor’s signature).
>>>Press Release

>>>Causer Floor Comments on House Bill 2644

House Bill 604 (Rep. Jonathan Fritz, R-Wayne/Susquehanna): Would establish a permitting framework at the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure that decisions on permits are rendered reliably and in a timely manner. (4/11/22 passed House, 115-85).
>>>Press Release

>>>Fritz Floor Comments on House Bill 604

 
House Bill 637 (Rep. Jim Struzzi, R-Indiana): Would require legislative approval before Pennsylvania could enter into a multi-state carbon tax program like RGGI. (3/30/22 passed House, 126-72).
>>>Press Release
>>>Press Release
>>>Press Release

House Bill 2450 (Rep. Jonathan Fritz, R-Wayne/Susquehanna): Would amend the Delaware River Basin Compact (DRBC) to reapportion the voting rights within the DRBC based on the amount of the basin territory that is within each state. Pennsylvania would have six votes under this plan, New Jersey would have three votes, New York would have two votes, Delaware would have one vote, and the federal government would have one vote. (4/11/22 passed House, 116-84).
>>>Press Release

>>>> Rep. Fritz Floor Comments on House Bill 2450

House Bill 2451 (Rep. Jonathan Fritz, R-Wayne/Susquehanna): Would amend the Delaware River Basin Compact (DRBC) to make it clear that it is not within the DRBC’s authority to ban fracking. (4/11/22 passed House, 110-90).
>>>Press Release

 
>>> Rep. Fritz Floor Comments on House Bill 2451


House Bill 2458 (Rep. Martina White, R-Philadelphia): Would establish the Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force making the Port of Philadelphia an export terminal for liquefied natural gas. (4/13/22 passed House, 124-74).
>>>Press Release

House Bill 2461 (Rep. Clint Owlett, R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter): Would require the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to establish a program to lease the subsurface rights under state lands for oil and gas development. (4/11/22 passed House, 116-84).
>>>Press Release

>>> Rep. Clint Owlett Floor Comments on House Bill 2461

House Resolution 187 (Rep. Stan Saylor, R-York): Urges governors in New York and New Jersey to end their ban on construction of any new natural gas pipeline. (3/30/22 adopted,134-64).
>>>Press Release

>>> Rep. Saylor Floor Comments on House Resolution 187

House Resolution 189 (Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler): Urges Congress to support policies for the continued operation and expansion of domestic oil and gas production. (3/30/22 adopted, 126-76).
>>>Press Release

>>> Rep. Daryl Metcalfe Committee Comments on House Resolution 189


These bills await approval in the state Senate for consideration.