WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger joined Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and Tracey Mann (KS-01) in introducing a Congressional Review Act to overturn the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) efforts to further regulate oil and gas producers.

“One of the only promises President Biden has followed through on is his campaign vow to ‘end fossil fuels,’” said Rep. Pfluger. “This Methane Rule imposes excessive and costly restrictions on energy producers in regions like the Permian Basin that I represent and others around the Nation. It will drive costs up even higher for all Americans already suffering under record-breaking inflation driven mostly by energy costs. The President should be promoting energy independence to lower costs and strengthen our national security.”

“Since his first day in office, Biden has unleashed a whole-of-government assault on domestic energy production, the lifeblood of our economy and cornerstone of our national security,” said Rep. Arrington. “The overly broad and burdensome Methane Rule is yet another example of President Biden weaponizing the regulatory state to appease climate activists at the expense of the American people. If enacted, this rule will increase energy prices, threaten good-paying jobs in West Texas and throughout the country, and embolden our adversaries like Russia and China by hamstringing American energy production. I am proud to lead the fight to reverse Biden’s Methane Rule and strengthen American energy production, not burden producers with unnecessary and costly regulations.”

“Americans are paying for President Biden’s failed energy policies,” said Rep. Mann. “This rule will crush energy producers and consumers alike. Americans don’t need more government overreach in their lives threatening their livelihoods. I will continue to fight against burdensome federal red-tape that compromises our economy, energy independence, and national security. I am proud to cosponsor this joint resolution and look forward to its swift passage.”

“We appreciate the efforts of Chairman Arrington, Congressman Pfluger, and other knowledgeable members of Congress for taking these steps to undo some of the incredible damage this Administration is levying on the American economy and the oil and gas industry directly,” said President of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association Ben Shepperd. “The Methane Rule is very poorly crafted and will have no environmental benefit while adding in the never-ending inflationary pressures. The Methane Rule is just the latest effort to shut down the American energy industry in favor of redistributing wealth to environmental activists.”

“The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) has recommended a litany of regulatory fixes to the rule, and we hoped they would be considered but haven't been. Use of the Congressional Review Act is one of the last remaining options and has our support. IPAA recognizes that EPA will be regulating methane emissions and producers' responsibility to control them,” said President and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of American Jeff Eshelman. “However, EPA developed regulations that would shut down 300,000 small oil and natural gas wells. It has ignored all of the efforts to explain the inequities of the regulation on these producers, and then tried to prevent states from giving any relief to these wells as they have the right to do in the Clean Air Act. There are few options left to try to bring some reality into this process."

In the U.S. House, this resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Mike Collins (GA-10), Chip Roy (TX-21), Mary Miller (IL-15), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), and David Rouzer (NC-07).

A companion resolution is being introduced in the Senate by Senator Roger Marshall (KS) and Senator Steve Daines (MT).

Official Press Release