Rothfus: America Needs an All-of-the-Above Energy Plan

Low-cost American energy is essential for economic growth, competition in the global marketplace, and job creation.  The U.S. needs an all-of-the-above energy policy to get our economy booming again, add good-paying American jobs, and finally achieve North American energy independence.

Coal, wind, natural gas, solar, nuclear, geothermal, hydro, and oil all play an important role in powering our economy and should be part of an all-of-the-above approach to energy policy.  Western Pennsylvania offers unparalleled energy opportunities and is benefiting economically thanks to the safe and responsible development of our natural resources.

Unfortunately, the regulations recently introduced by President Obama threaten job creation and hurt the budgets of every family and business in the country.  These regulations, the latest salvo in his war on coal, will result in more shuttered coal mines and power plants, and more lost jobs.  When our coal miners and power plant workers lose their jobs, we lose people vital to our communities, and we lose wages and tax revenues critical to supporting local small businesses and schools.

President Obama’s new regulations will raise energy prices and significantly impact moms and dads sitting around the kitchen table paying their monthly utility bills.

Long story short, this war on coal is a war on low-cost American energy and it makes us less competitive.  It is a war on the livelihoods of hardworking women and men, a war on good-paying American jobs, a war on American opportunity, and a war on American prosperity.  It must end.

Instead of waging a war on low-cost American energy, President Obama and the Senate should work with the House to advance an all-of-the-above energy policy that will grow our economy, add jobs, and move our nation towards North American energy independence.

Just days after the President’s announcement, Republicans and Democrats in the House worked together to pass two bills that expand our nation’s ability to safely and responsibly develop our plentiful natural resources.  H.R. 1613 would expand oil and gas development opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico.  H.R. 2231 removes federal barriers to the production of energy resources off our coasts.  These bipartisan initiatives will increase our independence, increase our competitiveness, and expand job creation in America. 

The benefits of safely developing our plentiful resources are not limited to the energy sector.  Lower energy prices resulting from increased domestic production will benefit workers, families, businesses, and the entire economy.  For each new energy job, three new jobs are created in industries that support the energy sector.  For example, our manufacturing sector is seeing a rebound in jobs thanks to lower energy prices and an increasing demand for equipment.

By safely and responsibly developing our nation’s plentiful resources, we can relight our economy, add jobs for today’s workers, grow energy opportunities for future generations, and finally move our nation towards North American energy independence.

Please feel free to call the Ross Township office at (412) 837-1361, the Beaver office at (724) 359-1626, or the Johnstown office at (814) 619-3659. We are here to help. I also encourage you to stay in touch by connecting on Facebook and Twitter.

Keith Rothfus represents Pennsylvania's Twelfth Congressional District, which includes all of Beaver County and portions of Allegheny, Cambria, Lawrence, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties.