On February 5, 2025, a group of Republican senators introduced new legislation aimed at overturning President Joe Biden’s renewable energy mandates, arguing that the policies will hurt American businesses, increase energy prices, and make the nation more reliant on foreign energy sources. The bill, titled the “Affordable Energy and Energy Independence Act,” seeks to stop Biden’s push for aggressive green energy policies that include mandates for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, stricter carbon emission standards, and substantial investments in solar and wind energy projects.
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), the lead sponsor of the bill, voiced strong concerns that Biden’s clean energy mandates would lead to skyrocketing electricity prices and job losses in key energy sectors. Barrasso, along with Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), emphasized that Biden’s climate change agenda is placing unnecessary burdens on working-class families and small businesses.
“Under President Biden’s energy policies, working families will face higher utility bills, and thousands of American workers will lose their jobs in the energy industry,” Barrasso said during a press briefing introducing the legislation. “The ‘Affordable Energy and Energy Independence Act’ will protect American families from higher energy prices and ensure that we maintain energy independence through a balanced energy mix.”
Biden’s green energy agenda, part of his broader climate action plan, includes a target to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Key provisions of the plan call for expanded tax incentives for renewable energy, electric vehicle tax credits, and tighter regulations on emissions from power plants, industries, and vehicles.
Republicans, however, argue that these measures are unrealistic and could lead to a decline in energy security, especially with renewable energy sources like wind and solar still lacking the capability to meet the country’s full energy needs. They also point out that the transition to cleaner energy is taking place too quickly, leaving vulnerable industries and energy-dependent regions at a disadvantage.
The GOP’s proposed bill seeks to block further expansion of the renewable energy mandate and focus on maintaining a diverse energy portfolio that includes fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewable energy sources. Energy industry groups like the American Petroleum Institute (API) have supported the bill, arguing that Biden’s policies could increase reliance on foreign energy and drive up prices for consumers.
While the bill faces significant opposition from environmental groups and the Biden administration, who argue that these policies are critical for addressing the climate crisis, the proposal will remain a key point of contention as energy policy continues to dominate the national political debate. The future of U.S. energy policy is at the forefront of the GOP’s legislative priorities for the upcoming year.
