H.R. 1 Reduces Economic Burdens on Low-Income Families and Secures Energy Resources

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) sent the following letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives:

Dear Representative:

This week the House will consider H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. By unleashing American energy, lowering prices and securing our supply chains, this legislation will provide substantial benefits to low-income Americans. High energy prices and inflation have hit low-income families hard — at the gas pump, in utility bills, and in the cost of everyday goods like groceries and clothing.

The shortage of medical supplies during the COVID pandemic showed us that America can’t be dependent on China for our most urgent needs. President Biden’s “green energy” agenda will make us increasingly dependent on China for the production, refining, and processing necessary to implement that agenda.

H.R. 1 prohibits President Biden from banning hydraulic fracturing and prevents unreasonable state governments from blocking interstate energy infrastructure projects. It repeals Biden’s natural gas tax that stands to increase energy bills for American families — hitting low-income families the hardest. It also repeals royalties and fee increases imposed on energy production that drive up prices for families.

This important legislation wisely reforms the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting process to streamline federal reviews for all sectors of the economy, including at our international borders. It limits the scope of environmental review under NEPA to reasonably foreseeable and economically feasible impacts. H.R. 1 further enhances America’s ability to develop critical energy resources by improving the environmental permitting processes at critical minerals refining and process facilities.

H.R. 1 appropriately rolls back a $27 billion EPA slush fund for partisan special interests. More and more government intervention sucks the oxygen out of our economy, stifles opportunities for energy and environmental innovation in the private sector, and redirects a vast amount of taxpayer resources toward political control. This does not help low-income Americans, but it enriches well connected elites.

The Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) aims to fight poverty and restore dignity through scholarship supporting faith, freedom, and personal responsibility. We commend the sponsors of H.R. 1 and the respective House committees for the development of a comprehensive plan to unleash American energy and lower costs for families — especially low-income families — and encourage you to support this vital legislation.

Sincerely,

Star Parker                                                     Marty Dannenfelser
President                                                         VP, Government Relations & Coalitions