Whereas, For decades, the United States has too greatly relied on sources of energy produced on the other side of the world. While the United States has enjoyed a higher degree of energy independence in the last decade due to an increase in domestic oil production, we still import tens of millions of barrels of foreign crude oil from overseas each month; and
Whereas, As a direct result of both federal and state policies and foreseeable world events, gas prices in the United States are rising at the fastest pace recorded since 2000. Not only are rising gas prices eating away at recent wage growth and increasing the risk of a recession, they also could have sweeping impacts for U.S. consumers as higher diesel prices raise the cost of shipping goods through already stressed supply chains, disproportionately affecting low-income families and citizens; and
Whereas, Enacting policies that will lead to energy independence is necessary for the safety and prosperity of the American people. Reliance on overseas oil has the potential to maximize the leverage of foreign producers. While the Biden Administration’s efforts to isolate and weaken Vladimir Putin have been welcome and necessary, our reliance on sources of energy originating on other continents creates a potential risk that those sources could be jeopardized by United States’ actions abroad, which limit our ability to preserve and protect American values. Ensuring that the United States’ economy can support itself without relying on supply chains that span the globe and without risk of foreign political disruptions is critical to job growth and competition in the United States; and
Whereas, President Biden, United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Governor Whitmer, Michigan Attorney General Nessel, and other elected officials have pursued policies that have harmed our ability to achieve energy independence, including the President’s decision to halt the Keystone XL pipeline and the Governor’s and Michigan Attorney General’s attempts to shut down the Line 5 pipeline, a crucial source of energy for millions of Michiganders; and
Whereas, Protecting our environment is better accomplished with domestically produced fossil fuels, which are believed to be significantly cleaner than those found in other parts of the world; and
Whereas, The United States must focus on policies that increase the production of energy here at home, such as ensuring the continued safe operation of the Line 5 pipeline in Michigan, increasing domestic oil and gas drilling, increasing investments in renewable energy, and abandoning policies that limit domestic energy production and raise the capital costs associated with fossil fuel development; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the adoption of policies that will help lead to energy independence and lower energy costs in the United States; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge Governor Whitmer and Michigan Attorney General Nessel to immediately cease their efforts to shut down the Line 5 pipeline and instead work proactively to lower energy costs for the residents of this state; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Michigan Attorney General, the commissioners of the Michigan Public Service Commission, the commissioners of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Secretary of the United States Department of Energy, the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the entire Michigan congressional delegation.
Senator Horn requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The substitute (S-2) was adopted, a majority of the members voting therefor, as follows: