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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today highlighted increasing energy costs at a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on permitting reform, noting rising ‘energy poverty’ among Americans. Families can fall into energy poverty when they are unable to afford other basic essentials because of rising utility costs in Joe Biden’s economy.

“[I]t can cost more to have renewable energy,” said Dr. Cassidy. “And we’ve seen other examples where it’s contributed to so-called ‘energy poverty’. People are paying so much for their utility bill they don’t have money for other essentials because of the increased cost of the renewables.”

“I’m representing people who, again, they don’t have enough money to pay any bills. Inflation has been killing them,” said Dr. Cassidy. 

Cassidy later highlighted the costs of uncompleted energy projects delayed by excessive litigation brought by radical climate activist groups. He noted that these extra costs are often passed on to the ratepayer.

“I assume that’s a real cost,” said Dr. Cassidy. “The point being is that that marginal cost is more likely to contribute to that individual’s propensity to go into energy poverty than if that cost were not there.”

In the coming months, Cassidy will be introducing legislation to streamline the permitting process and address loopholes in the litigation process that inject unnecessary costs and uncertainty into project development.

Background

Last year, Cassidy released a landmark energy & climate policy outline in response to the Biden administration’s assault on domestic energy. The outline details how we can successfully reset U.S. energy policy, including Cassidy’s plan for an Energy Operation Warp Speed to cut permitting red tape and unleash domestic energy.

Last week, Cassidy introduced a bill to force the Biden administration to hold oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico which would lower long-term energy costs and support U.S. energy independence.

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