Peach Tree Times

Sen. John Barrasso, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is frustrated with Democrats for voting against policies that would lower energy costs for families while pushing more spending that heightens inflation, according to a press release.

Electricity costs shot up in the last year due to the end of COVID-19 shutdowns, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and inflation due to government spending. Sen.  Raphael Warnock (D-GA) supports Democrat policies of green energy and limiting domestic production that does nothing for American families’ high utility bills.

According to Bloomberg, surging electricity prices have led to a utility bill crisis. One in six Americans is struggling to pay their energy bills. American households saw a 15.2% increase in July electricity prices, compared to a 4% increase in 2021, the largest increase in 13 years. Americans owe approximately $16 billion in late energy bills, twice as much as before the pandemic.

In March, Senate Democrats rejected an energy bill proposed by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) that would require the Biden administration to renew oil and gas production in the U.S. and begin a renewable energy advancement program. Daines said, “these actions diminished American energy security, hurt our allies and empowered our adversaries. My bill will help get the United States back on track.” The bill was blocked by Democrats.

“The Democrats’ war on American energy continued today. Families are paying the price. While jamming through their reckless tax and spending spree, Democrats voted against common sense Republican proposals. These proposals would have unleashed American energy and lowered costs for families. American families need relief from Democrat policies that attack American energy, send utility bills soaring, and drive up prices at the pump,” Barrasso said in a statement. 

The Biden administration has limited American fossil fuel production and instead relies on green energy production, canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline, and restricted oil and gas leases causing energy and gas prices to increase following the pandemic. Biden was forced to ask foreign nations for oil and gas. The temporary plateau of prices at the pump came from drivers not filling all the way and not staying stagnant, according to the Wall Street Journal. Biden offers no significant plan to lower energy costs long term.

Warnock is an advocate for the president's green energy agenda, which some say has contributed to high utility bills. Warnock voted against amendments to increase oil and gas production and wants to “abolish fossil fuels” altogether, according to the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The cost of electricity in Georgia is 14.53 c/kwh on average as of June, compared to 11.05 c/kwh last year, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The national average has increased 7.4% compared to 2021.