On January 4, 2025, a group of Republican senators unveiled a bill aimed at reversing President Joe Biden’s clean energy policies, which they argue are economically damaging and contribute to rising energy prices. The bill, named the “Affordable Energy Act,” seeks to end the administration’s aggressive climate change policies, including subsidies for electric vehicles, renewable energy mandates, and carbon taxes. These policies, Republicans contend, are contributing to higher costs for families and making it more difficult for American energy companies to compete globally.
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), the bill’s lead sponsor, was joined by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). Barrasso emphasized that Biden’s push for a “Green New Deal” agenda is placing an undue burden on the U.S. economy, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture. He argued that Biden’s policies are prematurely phasing out fossil fuels and imposing unrealistic standards on the energy industry.
“Biden’s extreme climate agenda is raising energy prices and costing American families and businesses,” Barrasso said during the bill’s introduction. “This legislation will ensure that energy remains affordable and reliable, while still addressing environmental concerns in a responsible way.”
The proposed legislation aims to block Biden’s plan to set a target of 50% electric vehicle sales by 2030 and to limit carbon emissions from power plants. The GOP’s bill also proposes freezing the expansion of renewable energy mandates and rolling back federal subsidies for green energy technologies, which Republicans argue are insufficiently reliable and too costly for the average consumer.
Energy industry groups such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) have expressed support for the bill, warning that Biden’s policies could lead to job losses in the energy sector and cause prices to rise for consumers. API President Mike Sommers stated that an energy strategy focused on renewables without maintaining traditional energy sources like oil and gas would leave the U.S. vulnerable to global supply disruptions.
However, the Biden administration and environmental advocates argue that the transition to renewable energy is essential for reducing the country’s carbon footprint and meeting long-term climate goals. Environmental groups like the Sierra Club have called the GOP bill a setback in efforts to combat climate change.
“The Republican bill would undo critical progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and delaying the transition to a clean energy economy,” said a spokesperson for the Sierra Club.
As this legislation progresses, the future of energy policy in the U.S. remains a divisive issue, with the GOP pushing to safeguard affordability and energy independence, while Democrats and environmentalists continue to prioritize climate action.
