Pumping the Brakes on Anti-Energy Policies

By Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-05) 

After four years of heavy-handed government mandates that increased utility bills for consumers and caused pain at the pump, the United States is finally shifting course, and relief is on the way for Americans.

On our nation’s 249^th birthday, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This historic legislation invests in America’s energy future to lower costs for hardworking families.

At its core, the bill prioritizes domestic energy development. Provisions such as increasing onshore and offshore oil and gas leases, streamlining federal permitting for new energy infrastructure, strengthening our grid, and increasing domestic mineral production will unlock our full energy potential so we can provide consumers with affordable and reliable energy.

Furthermore, the One Big, Beautiful Bill pumps the brakes on misguided policies that led to skyrocketing energy costs and increased our reliance on foreign adversaries. The legislation repeals Green New Deal giveaways that were found in the so-called Inflation Reduction Act and reverses wildly unpopular electric vehicle mandates.

This especially comes as great news for my constituents back home in Michigan, the Auto State, who understand that we cannot limit consumer choice, stifle innovation, and cede our future to China. 

While EVs may be a great choice for some, they are out of reach for many consumers across the country, including those in rural communities like mine. For instance, a single charge from an electric vehicle wouldn’t be enough to get me across my district from Lake Erie on the east side to Lake Michigan on the west. A lack of reliable charging infrastructure throughout most of the United States also makes EVs an unrealistic choice for consumers. 

We cannot win the future with costly government mandates and regulations. While I support reducing our emissions, we must promote private-sector innovation rather than picking winners and losers and hamstringing our economy.

The One Big, Beautiful Bill is a strategic reset. This landmark legislation will provide financial relief for working families, build a stronger economy, and deliver on our promise to restore American energy dominance. Our future depends on it.