Great Lakes Wire

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is frustrated with Democrats for voting against policies that would lower energy costs for families while pushing more spending that increases inflation.

Electricity costs shot up in the last year due to the end of COVID-19 shutdowns, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and inflation due to government spending. U.S. Sen. Peters (D-MI) supports policies of green energy and limiting domestic production, which doesn't improve American families’ high utility bills.

Barrasso recently criticized Democrats for rejecting amendments that would lower energy prices for American families, according to the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources. Energy costs have risen exponentially, compared to 2021.

"The Democrats’ war on American energy continued today. Families are paying the price," Barrasso said, according to the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources. "While jamming through their reckless tax-and-spending spree, Democrats voted against common-sense Republican proposals. These proposals would have unleashed American energy and lowered costs for families. American families need relief from Democrat policies that attack American energy, send utility bills soaring and drive up prices at the pump."

According to Bloomberg, surging electricity prices have led to a late utility bill crisis. One in six Americans are struggling to pay their energy bills on time. American households saw a 15.2% increase in July electricity prices this year compared to a 4% increase in 2021, the largest increase in 13 years. Americans currently owe approximately $16 billion in late energy bills, twice as much as before the pandemic.

Senate Democrats have rejected an energy bill proposed by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) that would require the Biden administration to renew oil and gas production on American land and begin a renewable energy advancement program, according to Daines' website.

“These actions diminished American energy security, hurt our allies and empowered our adversaries. My bill will help get the United States back on track,” Daines said, according to his website.

The Biden administration has limited American fossil fuel production and instead relies on green energy production. The administration canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline and restricted oil and gas leases on American land, causing the price of energy and gas to go up as demand went up following the pandemic. Biden was forced to ask foreign nations for oil and gas as energy prices continue to rise at home. The temporary plateau of prices at the pump came from drivers not filling up all the way, according to the Wall Street Journal. Biden offers no significant plan to lower energy costs long-term.

Peters (D-MI) is an advocate for Biden’s green energy agenda, which critics say has contributed to high utility bills. According to Fox News, Peters voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, which some say will actually add to inflationary pressures, including monthly utility bills.

The cost of electricity in Michigan on average is 13.50 c/kwh, as of June 2022, compared to 13.27 c/kwh last year, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The national average has increased 7.4% compared to 2021.