Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Western Caucus and House Energy Action Team (HEAT) participated in a roundtable hosted by the Western Caucus Foundation in Tulsa, Oklahoma to discuss the importance of Oklahoma’s all-of-the-above energy approach and the state’s contributions to American energy independence.

The roundtable’s panel featured Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Republican Whip and HEAT Co-Chair Steve Scalise (LA-01), HEAT Co-Chair Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), and Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) as well as energy representatives Williams Companies CEO Alan Armstrong, Oklahoma Secretary of Energy & Environment Kenneth E. Wagner, Enel North America Manager of Public Policy Jonathan Gray, and Grand River Dam Authority CEO Dan Sullivan.

The roundtable also featured Mike Newton, Operations Manager of Fisher Gravel and Sand in Montana, a small business that is facing $2 million in losses as a direct impact of President Biden’s cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

“As President Biden hosts a global Climate Summit to tout restrictive policies that harm American energy independence, energy workers, and our nation’s position of leadership, we are here in the great state of Oklahoma to champion our vision and our platform for pro-growth, pro-American, pro- all-of-the-above energy policies that strengthen America’s energy dominance,” said Chairman Newhouse. “So while President Biden spends his day signing our nation up for multi-national compacts like the Paris Climate Agreement, we’re spending our day today highlighting the strength of American energy and its crucial role in supporting American families, jobs, the environment, and our independence.”

“Oklahoma, as well as my home state of Louisiana, has demonstrated how American oil and natural gas production can pave the way for affordable and clean energy resources. I was thoroughly impressed at today’s roundtable listening to Tulsa energy producers and job creators talk about how they are working to bolster American energy dominance by adopting an all-of-the-above energy strategy,” said Republican Whip Steve Scalise. “The truth is that President Biden and Congressional Democrats want to restrict American energy through their radical ‘Green New Deal’ legislation and the unattainable commitments to Paris Agreement. Instead of abandoning our energy workers, we should team up with the American energy industry to create jobs, invest in local communities, and strengthen our energy security.”

“Oklahoma is a key figure in the American energy sector; I’m proud to have such incredible industry leaders right here in my district,” said Rep. Hern. “Today’s roundtable combined Oklahomans’ knowledge of the industry with top Congressional leaders on energy policy. Our discussion was thoughtful, productive, and thorough. An all-of-the-above approach to energy production is essential to ensure that every American has access to affordable and reliable energy. Private sector ingenuity and good governance helped America become a net exporter of crude oil in 2020 for the first time.  We have an ambitious goal of not only energy independence, but energy dominance. If today’s roundtable was any indication, we will get there soon.”

“Oklahoma is a great example of how well an all-of-the-above energy strategy works,” said Rep. Mullin. “We have diversified our energy resources and, as a result, we have cheap, reliable energy for our state and other states should follow our example. I always enjoy showing off my home state to other Members of Congress from across the country and I appreciate the representatives from Oklahoma energy companies taking the time to sit down with all of us today. As President Biden continues his attack on the American energy industry, today’s conversation shows how important energy is to our national security and economic prosperity.”

Following the roundtable, Western Caucus and HEAT Members and staff will tour MidAmerica Industrial Park’s Grand River Energy Center, a natural gas and coal facility, as well as Grand River Dam Authority’s Pensacola Dam, a hydroelectric generating station.