The Sconi

Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, a ranking Republican member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, tore into Democrats earlier this week for voting against policies that would help American families struggling with high energy bills. 

Energy costs have skyrocketed due to the COVID-19 shutdowns and fallout from the pandemic. Other factors have contributed to the cost increase, such as the conflict in Ukraine. However, Barrasso says that Democrats are voting for legislation that would escalate inflation. 

“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," Barrasso said in a statement. "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.”

Surging energy costs have caused a late utility bill crisis, according to Bloomberg. About 1 in 6 Americans have trouble paying their energy bills on time. In July, American households paid 15.2% more for electricity than they did in 2021, the highest increase in 13 years. Late energy bills total about $16 billion, twice as much as before the pandemic.

Senate Democrats have rejected an energy bill proposed by Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana 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.” However, it was vetoed by the Democrats.

The Biden administration has limited American fossil fuel production by favoring green energy. As a result of the pandemic, the administration canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline, and restricted oil and gas leases on U.S. soil, causing the price of energy and gas to rise. 

As a result, Biden was forced to ask foreign nations for oil and gas. The Wall Street Journal reports that the temporary plateau of fuel prices was caused by drivers not filling up completely. Biden has offered no significant plan for long-term energy cost reduction.

The League of Conservation Voters endorsed Democratic candidate Mandela Barnes for Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race. Barnes is currently the lieutenant governor of Wisconsin. The league cited Barnes' prioritization of climate bills, which some claim will increase energy bills, as a reason for the endorsement.

Wisconsin's average electricity cost was 12.61 cents per kilowatt-hour in June, up from 11.46 cents per kilowatt-hour from June 2017, according to the Energy Information Administration. According to the national average, the number of people has increased by 7.4% since 2021.