[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2461-S2462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ENERGY REGULATIONS

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, over the last 4 years, the Biden 
administration put our energy security on a dangerous trajectory. The 
administration sharply restricted oil and gas development. It

[[Page S2462]]

threatened the closure of existing powerplants with burdensome new 
regulations, even as our electric grid struggled to keep up with 
demand. President Biden attempted to force the widespread adoption of 
electric cars, despite the incredible strain that would place on our 
already shaky power grid. And that is just to start with.
  The administration unleashed a veritable blizzard of Green New Deal 
regulations as it attempted to push through its far-left agenda.
  The American people called for a new direction this past November, 
and the Trump administration and the Republican majorities in Congress 
have wasted no time in getting to work to provide relief from 
burdensome regulations, especially when it comes to energy.
  Last month, the EPA announced 31 significant deregulatory actions. 
Among these are actions addressing the Biden administration's good 
neighbor rule and Clean Power Plan 2.0. Both of these regulations were 
designed to effectively force fossil fuel-powered powerplants to 
close--a dangerous goal at a time when we are already running low on 
the electricity we need to meet demand. And preventing these Biden-era 
rules from going into effect removes a significant threat to our energy 
supply.
  Farmers, ranchers, and other landowners can also breathe more easily 
knowing that the Obama-era waters of the United States rule, which the 
Biden administration attempted to resurrect, is being revised. The so-
called WOTUS rule would have given the Federal Government sweeping 
jurisdiction over most water features on private property, including 
things like irrigation ditches, ephemeral streams, and even prairie 
potholes.
  I know farmers and ranchers in my State of South Dakota would have 
appreciated a seat at the table before the Biden administration 
resurrected this harmful policy, and I am pleased that the Trump 
administration is committed to consulting with stakeholders for their 
input on an alternative clean water rule.
  The EPA is also now working to terminate the Biden electric vehicle 
mandate. The switch to electric vehicles that the Biden administration 
envisioned was unwelcome, unworkable, and unaffordable for a lot of 
Americans and, as I said, threatened to put an incredible new strain on 
our already creaky electric grid. I know South Dakotans were concerned 
about the loss of choice and about being forced into electric vehicles 
that aren't suitable for the long distances and bitter cold of life on 
the Great Plains. So the elimination of this mandate is welcome news in 
South Dakota, as I am sure it is for a lot of Americans around the 
country.
  Here in Congress, we are joining the President in his deregulatory 
efforts, and Republican majorities in the House and Senate have spent 
the last several weeks working to rescind burdensome energy regulations 
using the Congressional Review Act. President Trump has already signed 
two CRA resolutions into law--one eliminating the marine archeology 
rule that targeted offshore energy development and the other stopping 
the implementation of the Biden tax on natural gas.
  Last week, the Senate passed another CRA resolution to block a Biden-
era regulation on walk-in freezers and coolers. This rule, part of the 
Biden administration's climate agenda, would have heaped additional 
costs on small businesses like restaurants, butchers, convenience 
stores, and others.
  And, later this week, I expect the Senate to vote on another energy-
related CRA resolution--this one to block a Biden administration rule 
that would take certain gas water heaters off the market by 2029. This 
rule would not only increase the cost of water heaters for American 
homeowners, it would also imperil U.S. manufacturing jobs. One 
manufacturer has said the rule could force a shutdown of its $70 
million plant in Georgia.
  The resolution to repeal this burdensome rule received bipartisan 
support in the House, and I hope our Democrat colleagues will join 
Republicans in opposing this regulation.
  The impact of these regulations is felt across industries by American 
workers and American businesses. They are felt by Americans who work in 
the energy sector, by manufacturers, by small business owners, by 
farmers, by ranchers--and the list goes on.
  Regulatory burdens can be especially tough on smaller businesses, 
sometimes leading them to sell or shutter their operations. Those who 
stay in business often have to raise prices to stay afloat. And whether 
it is through higher utility bills or higher costs at the grocery store 
or for other goods, it is the American people who ultimately bear the 
cost of these rules.
  That is why this is such an important issue for Republicans. It is 
why we are working hard to eliminate these and many other regulatory 
burdens, and we will continue working to deliver regulatory relief for 
the American people.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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