Shannon Van Hoesen, shannon.vanhoesen@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressional Republicans passed H.R. 1, the “Polluters Over People Act, which would exacerbate the climate crisis, perpetuate environmental injustices, and jeopardize U.S. economic and national security by extending our country’s reliance on risky and volatile energy sources. The legislation would also undermine bedrock environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, by short-circuiting permitting processes and limiting valuable public input.
While it has minimal chance of becoming law, H.R.1 would undo and undermine the historic progress made by President Biden and Congressional Democrats on climate and environmental justice. This legislation would repeal new programs created by the Inflation Reduction Act, including the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. Reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry is an efficient and effective way to address climate change, reduce needless waste, and protect the health of the millions of Americans living in or around active oil and gas sites. H.R. 1 would also repeal the groundbreaking Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to support the rapid deployment of low- and zero-emission technologies, with the majority of funding dedicated to supporting projects that reduce pollution in disadvantaged communities.
The bill will also gut programs that will help homeowners conserve energy and save money by electrifying their homes through more energy efficient and healthier appliances, like heat pumps.
In reaction, Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous released the following statement:
“Further lining the fossil fuel industry's pockets while undermining bedrock environmental reviews and silencing public engagement isn't an energy plan; it's a goodie bag for corporate polluters. By promoting the expansion of fossil fuel production and exports, H.R. 1 delays the transition to a cleaner, more secure, and affordable energy grid that would deliver true energy independence and security.
“An energy bill for our future should be focused on just that. Yet, there's hardly a reference to the clean energy technologies we need to address the climate crisis and protect communities from the dangers of fossil fuel pollution. Raising energy prices for families across the country and increasing the federal deficit is nothing more than a plan to benefit political allies over accelerating the deployment of clean energy, and protecting communities. Simply put, H.R. 1 is not an energy bill.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.