Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently addressed the Senate, discussing energy policies and their impact on national security and economic stability. In his remarks, Thune criticized the Biden administration's energy policies over the past four years, stating they have created uncertainty for energy producers by restricting oil and gas development and introducing regulations that threaten existing power plants.

Thune cited a report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation warning of "mounting resource adequacy challenges" due to increased demand for electricity driven by artificial intelligence data centers. He emphasized the need for more reliable energy sources to meet these demands.

Thune highlighted steps taken by President Trump to restore American energy dominance, including declaring a national energy emergency and reversing restrictions on liquefied natural gas exports. He also mentioned Trump's actions to reopen parts of Alaska for energy development and his opposition to Biden's electric vehicle mandate.

Thune stressed the importance of an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes various resources such as oil, gas, hydropower, and biofuels. He expressed concern over regulations implemented during Biden's presidency, such as the WOTUS rule and emissions standards for vehicles.

He praised Lee Zeldin, President Trump's nominee for the EPA, emphasizing Zeldin's understanding of balancing environmental protection with economic needs. Thune noted Zeldin's commitment to releasing renewable volume obligations on time and working towards year-round E15 sales.

In conclusion, Thune called for a comprehensive approach to restoring energy dominance in collaboration with regulators like Zeldin.