Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 1121 - Protecting American Energy Production Act

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(House Rules)
(Rep. Duncan, R-SC and 29 cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 1121, which would prohibit the President from issuing a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing unless Congress authorizes the moratorium. This legislation is a red herring. Neither the President nor the Secretary of the Interior has proposed a moratorium on the practice of hydraulically fracturing oil and gas wells on Federal lands, and States already have discretion over the use of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas development on State and private lands. U.S. oil and gas production has increased over the past three years. As President Biden has repeatedly stated, oil and gas operations will continue into the future while we transition to a clean energy economy, and the Administration is strongly committed to the highest standards of safety and responsible oil and gas development on public lands. H.R. 1121 is both unnecessary and would set a dangerous precedent for limiting the authority of the President and Secretary of the Interior to manage energy resources on Federal lands and waters. The Administration therefore strongly opposes this bill.