Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 26, the Protecting American Energy Production Act, a critical piece of legislation to safeguard affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy production in the United States. Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), a co-sponsor of the bill, hailed its passage as a victory for American energy independence and hardworking families.

“By passing this bill, we’ve taken a stand to protect the energy production that powers our economy, lowers costs for families, and helps North Dakota remain a leader in energy innovation,” Fedorchak said. “Fracking has transformed North Dakota into an energy powerhouse, and H.R. 26 will help protect the progress we’ve made from federal overreach that disrupts energy production and threatens jobs.”

H.R. 26 prevents any federal moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and affirms that states retain primacy over fracking regulation on state and private lands. Fracking plays a crucial role in America’s energy future, accounting for two-thirds of the natural gas produced in the United States and half of the nation’s oil. The bill’s passage comes at a critical time as families face rising energy costs due to federal restrictions on domestic production under the Biden administration.

“North Dakota’s leadership in energy innovation took off after we used fracking, marking the beginning of an era of affordable, sustainable energy production through horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. North Dakota enforces some of the highest environmental standards for energy production in the country, safeguarding groundwater and requiring public disclosure of fracking chemicals to maintain transparency and accountability,” Fedorchak concluded. “Our state has proven that we can unleash American energy production while continuing to protect our natural resources and environment for future generations.”

The Protecting American Energy Production Act passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 226-188 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and Representative August Pfluger (TX-11) released the following statements following passage of the Protecting American Energy Production Act. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Pfluger and passed by a bipartisan vote of 226 – 188.

“Hydraulic fracturing made America the world leader in oil and natural gas production, yet radical activists and left-wing politicians have been actively trying to ban it for years,” said Chairman LaMalfa. “The Protecting American Energy Production Act will ensure that no President can unilaterally ban fracking, as the Obama Administration proposed and Biden supported. I would like to thank Rep. Pfluger for his leadership on this important legislation that will keep America an energy powerhouse.”

“The Biden Administration has spent the last four years attacking the American energy industry, most recently attempting to shut it down by banning almost all new U.S. offshore drilling projects,” said Rep. Pfluger. “It will be up to Republicans and President Trump to reestablish American energy independence and dominance in the 119th Congress. This is why my first piece of legislation in the 119th Congress will protect the American energy industry and consumers from the federal government. The Protecting American Energy Production Act will prevent any federal moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing and in turn, protect thousands of jobs for TX-11 and across America.”

This legislation prevents any president from banning hydraulic fracturing and expresses a Sense of Congress that States should regulate hydraulic fracturing on State and private lands.

Read full text of the bill here.