AUSTIN – Texas Governor Greg Abbott is pushing back against recent action taken by President Biden aimed at the energy sector.
“Texas is a pro-energy state, and we will not sit idly by and allow the Biden administration or local governments to destroy jobs and raise energy costs for Texas families,” Governor Abbott said.
The Biden administration has suspended new oil and gas leases on federal land and water, and put limitations on permits. According to the President, his executive actions are part of an effort to transition away from fossil fuel. The President insists that job opportunity still exists, and is abundant, in a move toward clean energy.
The Governor held a roundtable discussion in Odessa on Thursday with energy workers, leaders, and advocates on how Texas can continue to support the energy industry and its workers and ensure a more prosperous future for the state of Texas.
Abbott later issued an Executive Order that he said is intended to protect Texas’ energy industry from federal overreach. The Governor’s Executive Order directs every state agency to use all lawful powers and tools to challenge any federal action that threatens the continued strength, vitality, and independence of the energy industry. According to the Governor, each state agency should work to identify potential litigation, notice-and-comment opportunities, and any other means of preventing federal overreach within the law.
“The men and women who work in the energy industry produce the affordable energy that powers our lives and they are vital to the Texas economy,” said Governor Abbott. “My Executive Order will help ensure that the federal government cannot take away the livelihoods of Texans who work so hard to provide our state and our nation with the energy we need.”
The Governor also announced his support for legislation that will prohibit cities from banning natural gas appliances.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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