House to vote on bill to boost energy supply, lower costs, cut required presidential permits

The GOP-led House is scheduled to vote Thursday on the Lower Energy Costs Act, which is sponsored by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), House majority leader and a member of the Natural Resources Committee.

Scalise introduced the legislation in mid-March with the intent of combating President Biden's "war on American energy."

The purpose of the legislation is to "lower energy costs by increasing American energy production, exports, infrastructure, and critical minerals processing, by promoting transparency, accountability, permitting, and production of American resources, and by improving water quality certification and energy projects."

The legislation includes a formal disapproval of Biden's decision at the beginning of his term to axe the Keystone XL Pipeline project.

"Voters gave Republicans the majority in Congress to stop this radical anti-American energy agenda, and to take action that will lower prices," Scalise said when the bill was introduced. 

Under the bill, "no presidential permit (or similar permit) shall be required pursuant to any provision of law or Executive order for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility, or any border-crossing facility thereof."