Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves’ legislation to restore America’s energy independence has advanced through the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee.

“The Biden Administration keeps breaking records – they’ve blocked new American offshore energy projects, proposed fewer offshore oil and gas leases than any President in history, and forced every American to become more reliant on energy produced outside the United States,” Graves said. “Quite simply, we can’t afford President Biden’s disastrous energy policies. Utility bills and gasoline at the pump are unaffordable because President Biden is blocking American energy projects. If you are Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela, or others, these are great policies. If you are an American, it’s a disaster.”

Graves continued, “It shouldn’t take an act of Congress for the President to care about lowering gas prices, utility costs, and emissions. Our bill pushes for American energy production and jobs to be created right off the coast of Louisiana.”

Graves introduced the BRIDGE Production Act to ensure the continued supply of offshore energy, requiring the administration to hold 10 lease sales over the next five years. Since Graves introduced the bill in September, the Biden Administration released a proposal to hold up to three oil and gas lease sales between 2025 and 2029 – the lowest proposed lease sales in history. Prior to this action, the administration had allowed the national offshore oil and gas leasing plan to expire.

For Louisiana, offshore lease sales translate into revenue for coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and flood control projects. Under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA), the state receives a portion of the revenue, and every penny goes back to these resiliency investments. Effectively, the Biden Administration’s disdain for domestic energy production threatens funding for Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan, making Louisianians more vulnerable.

“It is important to highlight this isn’t just about skyrocketing energy costs. Blocking our energy production slashes funding for flood control, coastal restoration, and hurricane protection. We can’t let that happen,” Graves said.