By Daniel Turner
Joe Biden’s failed energy policies are devastating the entire country, but perhaps no place is feeling the pain as much as the West coast. According to one analysis, Oregon and Washington lead the nation in the rate of increase of the cost of living. In California, gas prices are approaching $5 a gallon and natural gas prices have averaged five times the U.S. benchmark. Citing the unaffordable cost of living, a majority of Washingtonians and four in ten Californians are considering moving out of their respective states.
In this environment, Republicans on the West Coast clearly have a unique opportunity to go on offense against the failed entrenched Democratic establishments running these desperate states. However, far too often, they are nowhere to be found, especially when it comes to championing energy projects that will make a meaningful difference in reducing the cost of energy.
Take the example of the Gas Transmission Northwest XPress Project (GTNXP), which is a $75 million investment to deliver desperately needed natural gas through Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and California. An environmental impact analysis from the federal government has concluded the project to upgrade three existing compressor stations would not be a threat to the environment. That doesn’t matter though to the radical eco-left – led by Senator Jeff Merkey (D-OR) – who are predictably mobilizing to kill the project. They’ve already successfully delayed a key vote from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on whether to approve the project, costing critical time for the region.
As the UAW strike reveals, this project is another example of tensions between the left and their traditional union allies that divide the Democrat coalition. As the eco-left attempts to kill this project that will create good-paying jobs, a recent petition from Pipeliners Local 798 has collected over 2,600 signatures in support of the project.
Republicans should be shouting from the rooftops about this outrage, but instead many have been missing in action. Perhaps the most prominent Republican leader in the Pacific Northwest, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) is the chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Given her role, Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers has a unique platform to lead on this issue in her state and in Congress. Unfortunately, she has been largely silent.
It’s not as if the opposition has a winning argument for Republican leaders to contend with. Senator Merkey claims there is not an “adequate need for” natural gas. Try telling that to Oregon constituents who can’t afford to pay their energy bills. Even California Governor Gavin Newsom recently wrote a letter to FERC Chairman Willie Phillips, urging his “immediate attention to the matter of escalating wholesale natural gas prices impacting customers in California and other western states.”
For decades, Republicans have been lost in the wilderness on the West Coast. They’ve now hit rock bottom with Democrats holding every statewide position in California, Oregon and Washington. Until Republicans start seizing no-brainer wins on energy, that’s unlikely to change.
Daniel Turner is the founder and executive director of Power The Future, a national nonprofit organization that advocates for American energy jobs. Twitter: @DanielTurnerPTF
Originally published by RealClearEnergy. Republished with permission.
For more on California energy policies, click here.
For more on Oregon energy policies, click here.
For more on Washington state energy policies, click here.