Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, addressed the Senate floor today to discuss energy policy in the United States. He emphasized the need for increased energy production and infrastructure development to address what he described as an impending energy crisis.

Thune stated, "Our country is facing some serious energy challenges," highlighting concerns about unreliable and unaffordable energy supplies if action is not taken. He referred to President Trump's declaration of an energy emergency aimed at increasing production and reducing prices.

However, Thune criticized Democratic senators for their opposition to this viewpoint. He quoted a senator from Virginia who dismissed the emergency as a "sham" and another from New Hampshire who called it "an emergency declaration in search of an emergency." Thune noted that all Senate Democrats voted against acknowledging what he sees as an urgent issue.

He cited reports indicating potential blackouts, insufficient power supply, and rising gas and utility prices as evidence of the looming crisis. According to Thune, these issues require immediate attention despite Democratic resistance.

Thune outlined recent Republican actions in response to these challenges. The Senate passed Senator Kennedy's resolution opposing a Biden administration rule requiring archeological reports for all offshore projects—a move seen by Republicans as unnecessarily burdensome for producers. Thune argued that such regulations hinder conventional energy production by slowing down processes and increasing costs.

The Majority Leader also criticized the Biden administration's record on offshore permits and leasing plans which he claimed restrict access to natural resources essential for maintaining American energy dominance.

Furthermore, Thune discussed efforts led by Senator Hoeven to block a $6 billion natural gas tax included in Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act. This tax, according to Republicans, would raise costs for producers while risking jobs in states like Pennsylvania and Texas. The Senate is set to vote on this matter later today.

In closing his remarks, Thune urged bipartisan cooperation on energy policy but assured continued Republican efforts towards securing affordable energy regardless of Democratic support or opposition.